UGANDA: COURT OUTLAWS ARMY EXECUTIONS

the execution of two UPDF soldiers in Kotido district by the Field Court Martial in 2002 was illegal, the Ugandan Constitutional Court ruled. The court in a unanimous judgment ruled that the execution was unconstitutional, because the two soldiers were not given a chance to appeal. In March 2002, Pt. Abdallah Mohammed and Corp. James Omedio, were tried by the court for the murder of an Irish Catholic priest, the Rev. Fr. Declan O'Toole and two other civilians. They were convicted, sentenced to death and immediately executed by firing squad. The Uganda Law Society and Jackson Karugaba petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking declarations that the process was unconstitutional.