A Special Forces Command (SFC) officer has been sentenced to death by a military court after pleading guilty to the murder of five of his relatives in Mayuge District, Uganda.
The court that was presided over by Chief Justice Lt. Col. Moses Nabasa, convicted Pt. Herbertson Birivumbuka for murder, sending a strong message on the gravity of using firearms unlawfully.
The horrifying incident took place in June when Pt. Birivumbuka visited the home of Isaac Isabirye Mudhasi, where the five relatives were gathered. Driven by long-standing tensions over land ownership, Pt. Birivumbuka admitted to taking the lives of the men in a fit of rage over what he described as a deeply rooted family conflict.
In his ruling, Lt. Col. Nabasa emphasized that this sentence serves as a reminder to all officers to uphold the honor and responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm.
He acknowledged the severity of the offense and stressed that Birivumbuka’s actions reflected a misuse of military-issued firearms, which should be handled with utmost discipline and care.
“The sentence imposed on Pt. Birivumbuka is not only a response to the loss suffered by his family but also a deterrent measure to prevent similar actions among other officers,” Lt. Col. Nabasa stated.
“The misuse of firearms, especially in personal disputes, is not only a breach of trust but also an infringement on the rights and lives of others.”
The military court’s ruling marks a pivotal moment in Uganda’s approach to handling cases where military personnel are involved in civilian disputes. The sentence of death by hanging is
one of the harshest punishments under Ugandan law, reflecting the court’s intent to uphold strict standards of discipline and the rule of law within the armed forces.
This case has brought to light the escalating problem of land disputes in Uganda, an issue that affects countless families across the country. Such disputes often lead to violent confrontations, and the involvement of firearms by military personnel is a worrying trend that requires firm action.
