The General Court Martial in Makindye has dismissed with disgrace a Uganda People’s Defense Forces soldier Private Moses Bwambale from the army after finding him guilty of desertion.
The Court on Monday chaired by Brigadier Freeman Robert Mugabe handed Bwambale the said sentence after considering both aggravating and mitigating factors.
Bwambale formerly attached to Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership Kaweweta was first arraigned before Court on October 24th, 2022 on charges of desertion and he pleaded guilty after the case were read to him by the Prosecution. Court heard that Bwambale was in October 2016 given pass leave from his commanders but he never returned and was arrested on November 20th 2019.
He was resultantly convicted and the Prosecution informed Court that he has no past criminal record but hastened to add that the offence is rampant.
The Prosecution further told Court that Bwambale has another case of aggravated robbery where he is charged with eight others. They therefore asked Court to hand him a deterrent sentence.
On his part, Bwambale asked court to consider him as the suspect on the case of aggravated robbery and added that he readily pleaded guilty on desertion case and therefore he did not waste court’s time.
He added that he has been on remand for more than three years and that he is a young man aged 37 years with seven children to look after, therefore a lenient sentence would be appropriate for him.
But today while delivering the sentence, Brigadier Mugabe has considered the fact that the offence is rampant and that there is no known past criminal record against him and first time offender who is a middle aged man with a family to look after.
He has further considered the fact that Bwambale has spent four years and one day on remand and that he is no longer interested to serve in the army. “Therefore, this court hereby sentences you to dismissal with disgrace from the Defense Forces. You will remain in custody for the other charge before this Court,” said Mugabe.
He added that “you have a right of appeal within fourteen days if you are not satisfied with the sentence of this court.” The dismissal from the force with disgrace means that the dismissed person is not entitled to any retirement benefits such as pension and gratuity among others.