{UAH} Brig Ondoga trial takes new twist - National - monitor.co.ug
|
4:45 PM |
No comments |
Brig Ondoga trial takes new twist - National
Brig Michael Ongoda faces new charges with the principle witness, Gen Katumba Wamala, (above) set to testify. Photo Faiswal Kasirye
In Summary
According to the amended charge sheet, Brig Ondoga on several occasions lied to Gen Katumba Wamala about juniors he was supervising in Somalia.
KAMPALA- The trial of former UPDF contingent commander in Somalia, Brig Michael Ondoga, has taken a new twist, with the charges changing from "theft" to "telling lies".
The UPDF has lined up evidence to support the new charges.
According to the amended charge sheet seen by Saturday Monitor, Brig Ondoga will be charged with 12 counts of telling lies or presenting false documents.
In November, Brig Ondoga, Lt Col Sam Kirya and Capt Joy Atugonza were charged in the court martial with eight offences relating to theft of fuel and food for UPDF peace keeping troops under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom). They were also accused of failing to perform their duties.
In a surprise twist, the army has changed the charges to "telling lies" and lined up the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Katumba Wamala as the sole principal witness to pin Ondoga on the new cases at the next hearing. According to the amended charge sheet, Brig Ondoga on several occasions lied to Gen Katumba about juniors he was supervising in Somalia.
"Brig Michael Ondoga, a person subject to military law, on October 3, 2013, while at Mbuya in Uganda, before the Chief of Defence Forces made false accusations against Brig Deus Sande to wit that he was money- minded and was behind the suspension of Lt Col Matua and Maj Seguya because of the selfish interests in the vehicle maintenance fund knowing the same to be false," reads count two on the new charge sheet.
Sources on the Brig Leopold Kyanda committee which was appointed to conduct a parallel investigation with that of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), claimed the charge sheet was amended because it would be hard for the army to prove the accusations of "theft and failure to perform duties" against Brig Ondoga.
Saturday Monitor has also seen a list of 17 officers and men whom Brig Ondoga forwarded to the UPDF leadership in September 2012, detailing their wrongs and punishment against them.
In that communication, Brig Ondoga indicated that punishments were administered on some of the offenders but others escaped. Many of those Brig Ondoga accused have now been lined up as prosecution witnesses.
Initially, the UPDF prosecution said that in October 2012, while aware that an impending advance operation from Afgooye-Baidoa required 1,500 troops, Brig Ondoga committed only 1,000 troops which resulted in loss of life. He was also accused of failing to issue formal operational orders to the commander of Battle Group X leading to loss of a battle tank and all its crew.
Another contentious issue is of Brig Deus Sande who was Ondoga's deputy. It is alleged that both head and deputy of the contingent being at the same rank, proved hard for Ondoga to give his deputy orders. This created operational discord.
When contacted on why the accusations have now changed to false information, the army spokesperson, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, said he needed to consult first because he was not aware of the new changes on the charge sheet.
Mr Frank Kanduho, Brig Ondoga lawyer, said: "The old charges remain but they are all flimsy and embarrassing to the institution of UPDF."
According to an official of the prosecution team, "Ondoga is likely to return to court on Tuesday" with Gen Katumba in the witness box.
BACKGROUND TO SOMALIA FOOD THEFT
Last year, President Museveni recalled at least 24 UPDF officers from Mogadishu, including Brig Ondoga, over alleged sale of food meant for soldiers and fuel for operations. This followed an investigation by the military intelligence into reports of corruption involving top army officers in Mogadishu.
Sources say food was being sold to private companies operating in the main base of African Union Mission in Somalia.
rwanambwa@ug.nationmedia.com
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Brig-Ondoga-trial-takes-new-twist/-/688334/2141468/-/gm9cv9/-/index.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment