A UPDF soldier Clement Kapel Amaitum, 26, who has been battling manslaughter charges since 2019 on Monday admitted to have caused the death of private Peter Aloku.
Under the law, manslaughter contravenes sections 187(1) and 190 of the penal Code Act 120 and attracts a maximum sentence of life prison upon conviction.
However upon his confession, GCM chairperson Brig. Gen Freeman Mugabe convicted Amaitum saying “this court convicts you on your own plea of guilt.”
Prosecution led by Lt.Col Raphael Mugisha and Lt Alex Mukhana told court that on February 22,2019 at about 0230 hours while at Kapeeka road heading to Singo training school in Nakaseeke district. The UPDF soldier unlawfully caused the death of private Aloku.
During the time of his death, Aloku was attached to the 45 battalion under BGXXVII at Singo in Nakaseke as the case to the convict.
The defence counsel Elizabeth Nyasingwa during mitigation invited the court to give the convict a lenient sentence saying he had not wasted court’s time when he readily pleaded guilty.
…”My lord chairman and honorable court members we pray for the lenient sentence and court consider the period of time the convict has spent in lawful custody,” Nyasingwa said.
However, the case has been adjourned to May, 2 2023 for sentencing.