The General Martial Court in Makindye has remanded 61 suspects for attacking Kalembo Military Detach in Zombo district on 6th March 2020.
The suspects have so far spent one year in remand at Kitalya Prison over charges of five counts of murder and security-related offenses per section 160(11) of the UPDF Act 2005.
During the attacks, CPL Godfrey Oola, Private Solomon Oyuthu, Private Bosco Okol, Warrant officer Patrick Odongotho and CPL Godfrey Timba lost their lives while many huts were burnt down.
After the attacks, security operatives started a manhunt where suspects who comprised of UPDF officers and civilians were raided from various parts of West Nile districts.
Upon interrogation, it was discovered that the suspects were organised under a group called Uganda Homeland Liberation Force allegedly led by one Col Athocon, who is the former Air Force Commander in Uganda Army with the intention of overthrowing the current government.
During the court session presided over by Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Lt Gen Gutti declined the defence lawyer’s request to grant bail to the suspects on grounds that the session was meant for plea taking. He rather advised the defence lawyers to submit their bail request in the next court session on January 4, 2022.
In March 2020, a group of men entered Zombo district through Zeu forest and launched an attack at a military detachment based there. The UPDF repulsed the attack by killing 6 of the assailants.
