By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The military police unit disciplinary committee (UDC) the lower court of the court martial has on Thursday has convicted and sentenced seven military police officers for assaulting members of the fourth estate at the United Nation Human Rights Commission at Prince Charles lane in Kololo Kampala.
The UDC presided over by the chairman Lt Col Gai Mpandwa sentenced Capt Jessy Odwenyi, Cpl Nimusiima Justine, Pte Wasswa Peter, Pte Tsame Imran, Pte Kisakye Victoria, Pte Opiyo Isaac, L/cpl Zirimenya Kassim on various punishments.
Capt Odwenyi were sentenced to 90 days of detention in Makindye military barracks,
L/cpl Zirimenya Kassim was also charged with 60 days while Cpl Nimusiima Justine was sentenced to severe reprimand and caution while Pte Kisakye Victoria and Pte Opiyo Isaac were sentenced to 62 and 60 days in the military prison respectively.
According to the Army deputy spokesperson statement Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, the chairman warned the culprits and the entire military police at large to always emulate discipline and professionalism while on any deployment. He also added that the above officer and militants will act as a deterrent measure to officers and militants while executing their constitutional mandate.
It should be remembered that on Wednesday 17th Feb 2021, members of military police assaulted journalists who had gathered to cover the National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine hand over a petition on human rights violation to the UN human rights commissioner.
The Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi has since apologized, promised to take action.
He also promised to foot the medical bills of those affected and promised to have a symposium to brain storm with media on how to work together. He also promised to include in the military training media related subjects to align the army with the media.
Earlier on Journalists under their umbrella body Uganda Journalists Association have since condemned the beastly actions and called for punishment against the perpetuators.
