By Ruth Anderah :
Former head of special investigations operations in the Uganda Police Force, Senior Supretendant of Police Nixon Agasirwe Karuhanga has asked the General court martial to try him separately over two counts of kidnap of two Rwandan nationals.
Through his lawyer Frank Kanduho, Agasirwe has told the seven members team led by Lt.Gen.Andrew Gutti that he is willing to take plea if he is separated from the rest of the other remaining 8 suspects charged with the same offenses.
Kanduho has explained that his client intends to use the other suspects as witnesses in his defense.
However prosecution led by Rapheal Mugisha has asked court for an adjournment to be able to reply to Agasirwe’s application.
Agasirwe is charged jointly with other senior police officers including Joel Mutabazi , Jackson Kaleemera, SPC Joel Aguma, D/ASP James Magada, D/AIP Benon Atwebembeirwe, D/Sgt Abel Tumukunde , SPC Faisal Katende and D/CPL Amon Kwarisima.
The other 2 suspects are identified as Rene Rutangugira from Rwanda and a Congolese national Bahati Mugenga Pacifique.
While appearing in court on October with 2017, the accused refused to Plead to the charges on the advise of their lawyer Caleb Alaka saying the army court had no jurisdiction to try his clients.
Alaka informed court that his clients cannot take plea on a defective charge sheet and asked court to give him more time to file written submissions regarding his submissions.
Prosecution led by Maj. Rapheal Mugisha states that on the October 25th 2013 at Kamengo in Mpigi district, while the accused where in unlawful possession of firearms and grenades which are ordinarily and a monopoly of only the UPDF, they conveyed Mutabazi and Kaleemera to the Republic of Rwanda without their consent.
