The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) general headquarters Division Court Martial (DCM) sitting at Marine Brigade Headquarters in Buliisa District sentenced RA/241764 Pte Cephas Rubagumya to 90 years in prison.
Cephas was sentenced for shooting and killing his commander RA/205293 lance Corporal Bernard Businge while at Mulima detach in Buliisa District. According to prosecution, Rubagumya’s act is contrary to section 188 and 189 of the panel code act Chapter 120 of the laws of Uganda.
The prosecution led by Maj Gerald Bamwitirsbwe told the DCM chaired by Col Edison Muhanguzi that on May 27, 2020, Pte Rubagumya left Mulima detach and went to Hoima town to withdraw his salary and on coming back at around 8:40pm he started quarreling with his commander RA/205293 lance Corporal Bernard Businge and later got his gun from the house and ordered Lance Corporal Businge to sit down, Bernard Businge begged for mercy but all in vain and he was shot and killed in cold blood with malice aforethought.
Prosecution witnesses RA/240969 Pte Joseph Ochero and RA/239190 Pte Farouk Chebet who were also deployed at the same Mulima detach told the DCM that Pte Rubagumya shot their commander RA/205293 lance Corporal Bernard Businge about ten bullets shortly after a heated argument.
While sentencing RA/241764 Pte Rubagumya, Col Edson Muhanguzi said that the sentence should serve as a warning to all officers and men of UPDF.
“This sentence should serve as a warning to all gallant officers and men of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces especially the Marine Brigade unit.” remarked the Chairperson of DCM.
The convict was told to appeal within 14 days if the charge was too harsh to him and the court was adjourned.
