A soldier, aged 44, has been handed a 35-year prison sentence after being convicted of deserting the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). Another soldier was expelled from the Force due to being absent without official leave (AWOL).
Private Abraham Engwedu, with service number RA/200628, was tried by the UPDF third Division Court Martial (DCM) at Moroto barracks. He was found guilty of desertion, a violation of section 146 of the UPDF Act 07 of 2005, and was sent to Moroto Government Prison.
The court learned that Private Engwedu, previously assigned to the 19 Infantry Battalion, fled his unit while armed in November 2006 from Matany detach, Napak District in the volatile Karamoja Sub Region. He remained at his home in Kalaki District until his arrest, and government stores were recovered by a security team.
The court, which sat for three days, also dishonorably discharged Private Stephen Jarili, service number RA/211981, from the third Division headquarters. He was assigned to the Mount Elgon Conservation Area under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Army court records show that Private Jarili took a 14-day pass leave from his duty station in Mbale on September 4, 2017, but only returned on February 23, 2023. This extended absence resulted in him being classified as AWOL.
Private Jarili admitted to the charges, as confirmed by the UPDF third Division spokesperson, Isaac Oware. The court chairman, Colonel Francis Kateraho, stated that the sentences given to both soldiers would serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
Colonel Kateraho emphasized that the army will not tolerate desertion, a service offence, as the Force invests significant resources in personnel training. However, the soldiers were given 14 days to appeal the sentence if they disagreed with the judgement.