KAMPALA – Five people have been arraigned before the Makindye-based General Court Martial and charged with the murder of the Zzana businesswoman and mobile money dealer the late Harriet Nalwadda.
The five convicts include three former UPDF officers namely; Private Bob Anichan, Private Dennis Mangusho, Lance Corporal Edward Mubale.
Others are; a casual Laborer Stanley Mulunda and a boda-boda rider from Nalumunye-Wakiso Ntale Issa.
The group appeared before a court that was chaired by Lt General Andrew Gutti where they were officially charged.
According to the charge sheet laid in court by the Army lead prosecutor Lt. Col Raphael Mugisha, contends that on June 10, 2019 at Zzana cell with malice afore thought, the accused shot dead the late Nalwadda and her employee Moureen Nakabubi.
These have also been charged with aggravated robbery of UGX 6.8 million that belonged to the deceased and immediately used 2 SMG rifles that they are also said to have possessed illegally.
In another case file, the group has been charged with the murder of a one Edward Walugembe of Church zone in Nateete and the robbery of UGX 400, 000 and a Sumsang mobile phone belonging to Mwesigwa Kigongo on May 14, 2019.
The suspects have however denied all the 5 counts before the 7 member Court chaired by Lt. Gen Gutti; who also today took his oath to serve as the head of the court for the 4th term
The group has been remanded to Luzira prison until the August 5 as investigations continue.
According to a statement released by the army, the gang has been terrorising the city for the last 3 months when a unprecedented wave of murders and robberies hit mostly in the areas of Kampala , Wakiso and Nansana until a joint security operation by the CMI, UPDF and ISO led to the arrest of the five suspects .
However both private Anichan and Mangusho have since been dismissed from the Force having been convicted of a series of robbery and at the time of the commission of the recent Zzana murder; Anichan had just been released from prison after serving a 14 year jail term .
The statement further reveals that Ntale Issa; a boda-boda rider had a role in transporting the assailants.
Meanwhile; the court that has been in recess since May 2019 has resumed work today with new members taking on the role.
These have been sworn-in today by the judge advocate Col. Richard Tukacungura for a one year term.
The newly appointed members are; Kamanda Mutungi, Lt. Faridah Kiiza Amooti, Capt. Winifried Walugembe and capt. Paul.Katende.
