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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF Sergeant, Batte Fulgensio has pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful access to the air drone wing.
Batte ,50, is a militant of the Regular Forces of the UPDF under the Directorate of Logistics, as a driver.
On Tuesday, he was arraigned before the General Court Martial in Makindye presided over by Brigadier Freeman Robert Mugabe, and charged with one count of offenses related to security contrary to the UPDF Act of 2005.
The court heard that between December 1st and 5th, 2021 at Entebbe Air force military base in Wakiso district, without authorization, Batte and five others moved and accessed the Air Drone Wing which was an act prejudicing the security of the Defense Forces.
The others include a Congolese refugee, Patrick Tshimanga, a resident of Konge cell, Buziga, Makindye division in Kampala district, Lt Isaac Makobore, a junior officer and UPDF pilot, and businessmen Denis Buchanan, a resident of Buziga Zone, Ggaba road, Makindye division.
Others are John Bosco Nyundo, a resident of Kisubi, Kisenyi town council in Wakiso district, and Godfrey Mukiibi, also known as Semakula, a resident of Akright Estates, Kakungulu Entebbe road.
When the matter came up for the prosecution to inform the court on the progress of investigations, Major Emmy Ekyaruhanga told the court that investigations in the matter are still ongoing. He added that Batte who has been on the run had been arrested and asked the court to read his charges on an amended charge sheet.
The charges were read to Batte who pleaded guilty. Brigadier Mugabe couldn’t convict him since the prosecution asked to adjourn the matter to Wednesday, for brief facts regarding how he illegally accessed the Air Drone Wing.
Batte’s co-accused were asked to be present tomorrow to understand the implications of his plea of guilty on how they would be affected.
The suspects’ lawyer filed an application before the High Court Civil Division for their unconditional release on grounds of illegal detention at CMI where they spent more than 48 hours.
If found guilty, the accused persons are liable to suffer death according to the UPDF Act of 2005.
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