Abdallah Kitatta the leaders of Boda-Boda 2010 was paraded at the General Court Martial by around 10 in the morning doomed in a yellow t-shirt. Together with 11 co-accused, Kitatta was here for plea taking before a panel of 7 members of the General Court Martial. According to the details of the 6 charges read by Lt. Gen. Andrew gutti, the group and the others still at large on 21st January 2018 at Vine Hotel in Wakaliga in Kampala City while in motor vehicle registration number UAK 135B were found in possession of an SMG gun, 3 pistols and 59 rounds of ammunition, military head gears and uniforms. This was without a certificate to own firearms which is ordinarily a monopoly of defense forces. “In a motor vehicle registration number UAK 135B were found in possession of SMG serial number UE4467-19998 without holding a valid firearm certificate. The said firearm being ordinarily the monopoly of the defense forces.” Said, Lt. Gen. Andrew Ogutti – Chairman, General Court Martial.
However, the group with the guidance of their lawyers declined to take plea against all the 6 counts. “Have you heard and understood the statement and the particulars of the offense?” “I have heard and understood the charge but I don’t agree to be heard in this Court because am not a military personnel.” The Chairman of the Court Martial deemed some of the behavior by the accused as contempt of Court and directed the group to discuss with their lawyers about the position of the law when a civilian is found in possession of firearms.
In the Court at Makindye, the group was represented by Counsel Joseph Kiryowa and a UPDF provided lawyer Capt. Brian Mogie while the State was represented by Maj. Raphael Mugisha. These requested the Court to allow them time to talk to their clients before filing an official application in objection of the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial to try them. “I pray that you allow me, allow my Chairman my Lord, to serve interview with the accused persons in line with the objection he raised so that I formally make an application to this Court.” Hajji Abdallah Kitatta will be returning to the General Court Martial on the 27th February 2018 alongside his co-accused and these will be officially filing their application disagreeing with the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial trying them as civilians.
