The Special Forces Command has explained circumstances under which a soldier who was still under detention died.
SFC spokesperson, Maj Jimmy Omara said Pte Martin Obol, 26 died at Kasenyi Health Centre III in , Kasenyi Training School while he was under detention.
“Upon his death, the body was conveyed to Mulago National Referral Hospital from where a post mortem (examination) was undertaken by a team of pathology experts. This is a routine procedure for all soldiers who suffer sudden death from natural causes and accidents,” Maj Omara said.
He said a death notification was issued to allow the family proceed with funeral arrangements, noting that the final post-mortem report took more days as the procedure is always because it requires further specialized tests from the government analytical laboratory.
“The post mortem report is now available. It details out all the technical aspects pertaining to the cause of death. However, the report remains confidential except to the members of the family as required by law.”
Obol’s family members told the media that he appeared once before a military court, where he was informed of charges including attempted murder and misconduct, the family insists he never received proper legal representation or medical attention while in custody.
Responding to the issue, Maj Omara said that on January, 22, 2025, Obol appeared before court on charges of drunkenness, threatening violence (attempted murder) and disorderliness.
“ He pleaded not guilty to the counts and the matter was adjourned to February 5, 2025 for prosecution hearing. However, around January 31, 2025, under case of Hon. Kabaziguruka, the Supreme Court of Uganda disbanded and halted all trials before military courts. Thus, there was no way we could convene court without jurisdiction to try any person.”
SFC said that if the Supreme Court had not halted trials before military courts, “probably the matter would have been concluded in time.”
“In legal terms, when any UPDF personnel dies in circumstances such as these, a board of inquiry is constituted to establish the facts surrounding his death. Equally, SFC constituted a board of inquiry headed by Col. Moses Nabaasa to investigate this matter and allegations relating to torture of the deceased by his colleagues are under consideration. We are confident the board of inquiry will provide facts to clarify this matter.”
