The General Court Martial in Makindye has remanded city ‘tycoon’ Sam Buchanan to Kigo government prisons for illegal possession of a gun and its ammunition.
Buchanan who was arrested by operatives of the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) on Friday and two others over charges related to coning foreigners in fake gold deals was also found with a gun and ammunition.
He was yesterday arraigned before the army court chaired by Lt.Gen.Andrew Gutti and charges of illegal possession of a gun contrary to section 3(1) and 2(a) of the firearms act 299.
Prosecution led by Maj.Sam Maserejje told the court that on Friday, August 16, Buchanan, 49 and a resident of Buziga was found in possession of a pistol which is ordinarily a monopoly of the defence forces.
He was also charged with being found with 18 rounds of 9mm caliber live ammunition for the pistol he was found with.
There was some confusion in court when Buchanan and his lawyer Frank Kanduho told court that he could not plead to the charges because he didn’t know them and asked court time to get well acquainted with them.
“I was arrested over other charges and not the ones in court,” Buchanan told court before his lawyer requested court to provide them with the search certificate for items found in the accused’s home.
However, with the guidance of Colonel Richard Tukacungurwa, the Judge Advocate (adviser) the court stuck its guns on charging him and he consequently denied the charges.
Prosecution said the city ‘tycoon’, a civilian was being charged before an army court because he is subject to military law by virtue of section 119(1) (h)(i) of the UPDF Act 2005.
He was remanded to Kigo prison until September 3, 2019 after the state prosecutor asked for more time to complete investigations.
The development comes at a time when his family had filed a habeas corpus at the High Court but the case could not be heard after the family lawyer failed to serve the Attorney General.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday.
