A court martial in Moroto district has handed down a 35-year jail term to Private Abraham Engwedu, aged 44 for desertion, a violation of section 146 of the UPDF Act 07 of 2005. The UPDF 3rd Division court-martial presided over by Col. Francis Kateraho, delivered the verdict on Sunday.
Engwedu is slated to serve his sentence in Moroto government prisons. According to court proceedings, Private Engwedu, previously assigned to the 19th Infantry Battalion, absconded while armed from his unit in November 2006 at Matany detach, Napak district.
He remained at his residence in Kalaki district until apprehended, with government stores subsequently recovered by security personnel. During the same three-day session, the court dismissed with disgrace Private Stephen Jarili of 3 Division headquarters, who was attached to Mount Elgon Conservation Area under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Jarili had been granted a 14-day leave pass from his duty station in Mbale on September 4th, 2017, but failed to report back until February 23rd, 2023, marking an extended period of absence, classified as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL).
Both individuals were convicted based on their guilty pleas. In delivering the verdict, Colonel Francis Kateraho, the 3rd Division Court Martial chairman, emphasized that the severity of the sentence aims to deter potential future offenders. He underscored the military’s uncompromising stance against desertion, highlighting the significant investment in personnel training. The court granted a 14-day window for appeal should either party wish to contest the judgment.
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