UPDF and Police Officers Acquitted of Alleged Espionage for Rwanda

Maureen Atuhaire

Seven senior security officers accused of sharing classified information with Rwandan authorities have been acquitted in Kampala, Uganda. The General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala made the decision to release the officers after the UPDF Director of Prosecutions dropped all charges against them.

Among the suspects were Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Benon Akandwanaho, 31, and ASP Frank Sabiiti, 34, both serving officers in the Ugandan Police Force. Additionally, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers were implicated: Second Lieutenant (2Lt) Phillip Neville Ankunda, 30, and 2Lt Alex Kasamula, 31, alongside Privates (Pte) Samuel Nathan Ndwaine, Moses Asiimwe Makobore, and Godfrey Mugabi.




The charges they faced were severe, related to security breaches contrary to the UPDF Act, 2005, with the potential for a maximum penalty of death upon conviction. However, during the proceedings chaired by Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe, state prosecutors Captain Ambroz Guma and Lt. Alex Mukhwana announced the discontinuation of all charges against the accused.




In a nolle prosequi dated April 16, 2024, and signed by UPDF Director of Prosecutions Lt. Col Raphael Mugisha, it was stated that the Government of Uganda intended to halt the proceedings against the accused. The nolle prosequi did not provide reasons for withdrawing the charges but emphasized the state’s interest in the matter and the possibility of re-arrest and recharging if new evidence emerged in the future.




Following this announcement, Gen. Mugabe discharged the suspects, affirming their freedom unless detained for other lawful reasons. The defence counsels, Captain Simon Nsubuga Busagwa and Elizabeth Nyasingwa, represented the accused during the proceedings.

The prosecution’s case had alleged that between February and May 2020, the accused officers shared sensitive information with agents of Rwandan authorities with the intent to compromise the security of the Ugandan Defence Forces. However, with the charges dropped, the officers have been cleared of all accusations related to espionage for Rwanda.

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