The Uganda People’s Defense Forces’ Second Division Court Martial sitting in Kihihi town council in Kanungu district has found Lance Corporal Moses Katwesigye, guilty of murder and attempted murder, and sentenced him to 90 years in prison.
Prosecution led by Lt Charles Ssekayita, told court that Corporal Katwesigye, 37, of the 307 Brigade at Mburamizi Barracks located in Nyakinoni Sub County, on the night of April 21st 2016, using an AK 47 riffle Serial Number 48002482, murdered eight people and injured three.
The convict is said to have opened fire and killed his wife after developing a misunderstanding with his her, before he killed another fellow combatant who came to intervene. He then left the barracks with the riffle and went shooting at people in the trading center including young children.
The deceased are Tugumisirize Olivia, Musiimenta Miria, Ndyakira Shafik, Gumoshabe Victory, Kyasiimire Apofia, Byamukama Medard, Lance Corporal Byansi Selestino and Pte. Auma Sarah (Katwesigye’s wife).
The court chaired by Col. Geoffrey Mujuni started hearing this case on Monday this week, at Kihiihi Community Polytechnic Playground in the attendance of dozens of Kihiihi residents.
The Court Chairman ruled that prosecution had produced substantial evidence pinning Katwesigye.
He thus sentenced him to 60 years imprisonment for murder and 30 years of attempted murder, all which will be served concurrently.
Major Ronald Kakurungu the 2nd division army spokesperson described the sentence as fair and said that it would send a strong warning to other officers against misusing their firearms and killing the people they are supposed to defend.