UPDF Soldier Brothers Sentenced for Killing Mobile Money Agent in Buikwe

Two brothers, both soldiers in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have been found guilty of killing a mobile money agent. The General Court Martial, chaired by Brig. Gen. Freeman Robert Mugabe, delivered the verdict on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Private Julius Kisuule and Private David Kisuule were found guilty of murdering Evelyn Nantale in Kamwamu Zone, Kiyindi town council, Buikwe district.

Mugabe stated that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt through the testimony of five witnesses. “This court, after evaluating the evidence on record, is satisfied that the prosecution proved each of the ingredients of the offence of murder against the accused persons and hereby finds each of the accused guilty of murder, contrary to Section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act,” he ruled.

The court agreed with the state prosecutors that the disappearance of the convicts from the scene of the crime after the murder indicated their guilt. Mugabe noted that the Kisuule brothers caused Nantale’s death with malice aforethought. The court found no significant inconsistencies in the prosecution witnesses’ testimony.

David Kisuule’s alibi was rejected by the court. He had claimed to have been at home all day during the murder, stating that on January 15, 2020, while watching TV news at 7:00 pm, he received a call from a police officer informing him of an arrest. He said this led him to travel to Lugazi Police Station the next day, where he was detained. However, this alibi was disproved.

During the hearing, Assistant Superintendent of Police Afsa Ninkunda testified that on January 9, 2020, at around 8:30 am, she heard gunshots and rushed to the scene where she found a mob attacking one of the suspects, Julius Kisuule, who was bleeding. The police rescued Julius from the mob, and he later confessed to shooting Nantale. He also revealed that his brother, David, had fled with the gun after the incident.