COURT | UPDF  

KAMPALA - A 41-year-old Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier has been charged and remanded for allegedly having illegitimate sexual intercourse with his senior official’s wife.

Lt Robert Turyahabwe was in Somalia for a foreign mission at the time L/CPL John Nuwagira allegedly illegitimately had a sexual relationship with the latter’s wife, Annet Kobusingye, according to prosecution.

Nuwagira, a militant of Regular Forces of UPDF, under 2nd Division Headquarters as KIT Operator (IRMIS), appeared before the General Court Martial (GCM) Monday (August 9, 2022).

Nuwagira was charged with conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline contrary to Sections 178 (1), (2) and (5) (a) of the UPDF Act, 2005.

Brig. Gen Robert Freeman Mugabe, the GCM chairman, read to Nuwagira the charge but he denied having committed the same.

Prosecution led by Lt Alex Mukhwana and Lt Gift Mubehamwe requested the court to adjourn the case, saying investigations in the matter were still ongoing, prompting court to adjourn the case.

“A plea of not guilty has been entered, and you, Nuwagira, you are hereby remanded to Makindye Military Quarter Guard at Makindye in Kampala until August 29, 2022,” Mugabe said.

Betty Karugaba represented the accused. 

The law

Under the law, a person convicted of prejudicial to good order and discipline

Is liable to dismissal with disgrace from the Defence Forces.

The charge

Prosecution alleges that in 2021, while at Makenke in Mbarara district, Nuwagira developed an illegitimate and irresponsible relationship with Lt Turyahabwe’s wife, Kobusingye while the said officer was on a foreign mission in Somalia.