By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The Paramount Chief of the Madi Drani Izarake has petitioned President Museveni and the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi over what he described as the illegal detention of Maj Travor Kibuuka and a one Private Mawa. Maj Kibuuka was appointed by President Museveni as the second in command of the 71 battalion and was based in Apaa.
In a July 4 2023 petition, Paramount Chief Drani said he is disappointed with Brig Gen Michael Kabaango, the Commandant of the 4th Division for detaining Maj Kibuuka the second in command of the 71 Brigade in Zoka/Apaa for one month and two weeks.
He reminded President Museveni about the Shs100m and the guidance given to him together with his Acholi cultural leader to be used for peace building purposes in the Apaa area where there has been land disputes and wrangles between the two communities of Acholi and Madi.
He states that the peace building was successful until April 19 2023 when he was arrested and remanded to Openzinzi Government prison on charges of attempted murder of seven people and causing grievous bodily harm with three others.
Paramount Chief Drani revealed that he was charged together with Maj Kibuuka but the charges were withdrawn by the Director Public Prosecutions (DPP) after establishing that there was no evidence against them and that the criminal files were closed.
He noted that he was surprised to learn that Brig Gen Kabango has since re-opened the closed files and that the senior UPDF is planning to parade Maj Kibuuka and the junior officer in the court martial which is illegal.
“In my humble opinion this then becomes a case of double jeopardy and so I begin to wonder, if they will not also have to rearrest me for the crimes that have been thrown out by the DPP and the honourable courts of our land Uganda,” the letter reads in parts.
He accuses politicians of supporting the Madi community group organisation which were created solely to grab land by means of force.
According to the petition, Mr Peter Taban Data, the Adjumani Resident District Commissioner (RDC) looks on as the illegalities are committed against the human dignity of the people of Apaa.
Paramount Chief Drani states that a section of people are collecting money from the forest products for personal use and do not pay the taxes but only destroy the environment.
He explains that because of the stand for the truth and to defend the poor people, the politicians are now turning against him and that they are determined to destroy the paramount chief of Madi and Maj Kibuuka who is ensuring that peace prevails in Apaa area without any bloodshed.
He accuses Col Mugabe Kochi the Brigade commander 503 brigade and Maj Olweny the 71b battalion commander of defending the alleged criminals.
“Land grabbing is now their biggest mission and this is done to undermine the traditional leadership who are the custodians of the land and manage the land through their land administration and management structures,” the letters read.
He prayed that the insecurity in the area should be fought by advising politicians to stop hoodwinking security operatives and police which resulted in misleading them into illegalities.
The petition comes days after lawyers of M/s Conrad Oroya Advocates issued a notice of intention to sue for illegal and unlawful detention and causing double jeopardy to Maj Kibuuka against Brig Gen Kabango.
The lawyers explained that Brig Gen Bonny Bamwiseki, the former commander of the 4th Division, investigated the allegations and closed the case file against Maj Kibuuka which Brig Gen Kabango now wants to reinstate.
The lawyers have demanded for the immediate release of Maj Kibuuka within one day from the date he received the notice of intention to sue and to drop all the planned prosecution against him based on the facts and offences which were already withdrawn.
The lawyers warn that if Brig Gen Kabango declines to comply with their demand they will institute both criminal and civil suits against him in courts of law and be forced to compensate their client with Shs2bn.
