Drama unfolded in Makindye General Court Martial as the defense started the cross examination of state witness Corporal Norman Sembatya, who testified pinning 14 people of participating in a plan to attack Kabamba army barracks.
Sembatya who took to the stand about a year ago, had never been cross examined by the state as he has always been absent in court.
Unlike in earlier sessions, Corporal Sembatya yesterday looked composed as he took to the stand and was provided with a translator.
In his statement, the witness started by informing court he joined the army on the recommendation of a UPDF official, a one Bakahamura.
He went on and stated that he attended all the meetings held by the accused persons, both in Uganda and Kenya in which they hatched a plan to oust President Museveni’s government from power.
He was however unable to provide evidence when tasked by defense counsel Fredrick Ssemwanga, that he resided in Biblical Hotel in Nairobi as he alleged.
Sembatya claims that he was spying on the suspects on behalf of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). He however sent the court into laughter, when tasked by defense to show court the US Dollars (Exhibits) which he claims to have obtained from the meeting as facilitation; confessing that he ate all of it while in Nairobi.
Sembatya who claims not to know English whatsoever, also told court that he communicated with an American who had come to Uganda in Luganda.
He also claimed that on his mission, he was assigned by the accused, the task of recruiting more members into the rebel group and that he took some of his colleagues from CMI, whose names he couldn’t recall.
When pushed further by defense, on whether there was any tangible evidence that the suspects committed the said crimes, Sembatya told the court, “I am the evidence.”
Running out of court time, State prosecutor Maj Raphael Mugisha asked for an adjournment which was granted by Chairman LT Gen Andrew to 7th October.
Source: Micheal Ntezza/Chimpreports
