The leader of the infamous Boda-Boda 2010 assocation, Abdullah Kitata and 11 other people are to re- appear before the General Court Martial at Makindye today, Tuesday, February 27, to answer charges of unlawfully possessing firearms and military stores.
Kitata and co-accused were first charged before the Military Disciplinary Unit at CMI headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala but were later committed to the General Court Martial which has jurisdiction to try such capital offenses punishable by death and life sentences respectively .
Kitata and co-accused were on February 13 remanded to Luzira prison to allow defence lawyers more time to talk with their clients.
Appearing before the General Court Martial at Makindye, the group refused to plead to the charges before the 7-member court chaired by Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti, arguing that they are not military officers to be charged before an army court.
This prompted Lt. Gen. Gutti to warn the suspects that he would charge them with contempt of court.
Kitata and group were represented by counsel Joseph Kiryowa and a UPDF provided lawyer Capt. Brian Mogi, whereas the State was represented by Maj. Rapheal Mugisha.
The accused have been in jail at CMI headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala and at Kigo government prison since their arrest on January 21.
Court heard that on January 21, at Vine Hotel in Wakaliga within Kampala city, Kitata, Sekajja and Ngobi, while in Motor vehicle Reg. Number UAK 135B, and having no valid firearm certificate, were found in possession of an SMG gun, 3 pistols , 59 bullets, military head gears and uniforms, all which prosecution says are ordinarily a monopoly of defence forces .
