MAKINDYE: The trial of Abdallah Kitata on Monday took a dramatic turn after the maverick Boda-Boda 2010 patron broke into tears before the General Court Martial sitting at Makindye.
Prosecution Witness Richard Kasaija, an operative with CMI, told court how Kitata was on January 20, 2018 arrested from Vine Hotel in Wakaliga in Lubaga division.
Kasaija also told court that on searching Kitata’s hotel room , a loaded and pistol was recovered , his car parked in the Hotel’s yard had an SMG gun and another pistol with 15 rounds of ammunitions.
Upon presenting the gold-plated pistol, said to have been recovered, Kitata burst into tears.
The second pistol with the 15 bullets and an SMG gun recovered from Kitata’s car were also displayed in court.
Kasaija also showed as exhibits two military uniforms, seven caps and bullets which he says were recovered from the offices of Boda -Boda 2010 at Wakaliga-Nateete.
Court Martial chairman Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti refused to release Kitata on bail on grounds that he is charged with grave offenses which attract a severe penalty of life imprisonment which might compel him to abscond .
Lt. Gutti also ruled that Kitata’s close working relationship with the police for a long time may prejudice the on-going investigations and he may also threaten witnesses.
The Court has also found Kitata’s surities to be of a low and ordinary profile who cannot compel him to return for his trial . He has been now taken back on remand at Makindye Millitary barracks until the 12th/June 2018.
Kitata is charged together with 12 members of his group for offenses of unlawful possession of firearms and Millitary equipment.
Kasaija has told court that he was part of a team that arrested kitata and his brother Uzailu Kiwalabye; the prime suspect in the murder of Francis Erunga formerly an accountant with Case clinic.
Court has further heard that Kitata’s arrest followed a search of telephone contacts and call logs of one of the arrested suspect in the Erunga murder which revealed that Kitata was in constant communication with him and thus on January 20, 2018, his telephone and movements were tracked until CMI operatives arrested him from Vine Hotel in Wakaliga.
