Saracen guard remanded for possessing military uniform

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The General Court Martial has remanded 24-year-old Fiumoney Kessy Odoc, a security guard attached to private security firm Saracen Uganda Limited for illegal possession of defence stores. Odoc, a resident of Kiganda village, Kira municipality in Wakiso district appeared on Monday afternoon before the General Court Martial chaired by Lt. General Andrew Gutti.

Court heard that on March 14th 2021, while at Kiganda zone in Kira municipality in Wakiso district, Odoc was found in unlawful possession of green ceremonial military uniform, a pair of pips for the rank of Major General and one Botswana military cap, which are gazetted as defence stores. He pleaded guilty to the charges and attempted to give an explanation but Gen. Gutti didn’t allow him to do so.

He was remanded to Kitalya prison until June 21, 2021, for the prosecution to read for him the brief facts of the case as requested by the army prosecutor, Captain Ambroz Guma. According to the March 19th 2021, preliminary investigation report seen by URN, the accused alleges that he obtained the attires in question around 2020 from his uncle called Jaspher Omara, whom he claims works with Lt. General Charles Otema in Gulu and used to visit them at their home in Oyam district.

“It is established that the suspect was a security guard working with Saracen Uganda Limited. The suspect is in our cells and the ceremonial suit was exhibited and matter forwarded for perusal and advice”, reads the report signed by Sergeant Norman Byaruhanga, the Acting Officer in Charge of the Department of Military Intelligence Special Investigations Branch.

According to sources that preferred anonymity to speak freely on the matter, the accused person has been in detention since March when he was arrested by military police officers attached to Kasokoso detach who found him wearing the uniform in contention.

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URN