7 Ugandan Security Officers Charged with Espionage for Rwanda

Seven Ugandan security officers have been court-martialed for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Rwandan government agents.

The suspects are: Second Lieutenants Alex Kasamula attached to Military Police, Phillip Neville Ankunda, attached to the Elite Special Forces Commander Headquarters as a Pilot, Privates Nathan Ndwaine, Moses Asiimwe, and Godfrey Mugabi, all are Engineering and Aircrafts Maintenance students at Nakasongola Air Defense Wing.

The others are Assistant Superintendents of Police, Benon Akandwanaho, and Frank Sabiiti who are attached to Kira Police Division Headquarters and Counter-Terrorism at Mutukula Border Post respectively.

The seven appeared before the General Court Martial chaired by Lt. General Andrew Gutti on Monday afternoon in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

They were charged with offenses relating to security contrary to section 130 of the UPDF Act. This particular section provides for an offense relating to disclosure of confidential information to an enemy or unauthorized members of the defense forces, person, or the public.

Prosecution led by Captain Ambrose Baguma told the court that between February and May this year, the accused persons and others still at large at various places within Kampala City shared sensitive information with agents of Rwandan authorities with intentions to compromise the security of Uganda’s Defense Forces.

Prosecution neither revealed the details on the kind of information the accused person shared with the Rwandan agents nor the identities of the agents.

The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution asked court to remand the suspect up to August 31st, 2020 as investigations continue.

The General Court Martial Chairperson, Lt. Gen. Gutti remanded the accused to Makindye Military Police Barracks as requested by the prosecution.

The suspects have been in the custody of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence for close to four months following their arrest in April and May 2020 on allegations of espionage.

Rwanda and Uganda have had frosty relations since President Paul Kagame ordered the closure of the Cyanika and Gatuna borders in February 2019. He accused the Ugandan government of harboring dissidents who want to topple its leadership.

Last year, President Yoweri Museveni and Kagame held various meetings to try and resolve the stalemate between the two countries.

Contributed by Ahmed Wetaka, Kampala Uganda.