Here we go again in Uganda

Another civilian is challenging the jurisdiction of Uganda's general court-martial to try her, according to this New Vision report. Excerpt:

The former UPDF resource manager accused of causing financial loss of sh2b by placing a Russian ‘ghost pilot’ on the payroll has petitioned court, seeking to challenge her trial at the army court.

Through Ojok Advocates, Carolyn Kyakabale, 37, says her trial at the General Court Martial (GCM) for a non-service offence violates her right to a fair hearing because she is a civilian.

“My trial on frivolous and vexatious charge violates my right to a fair hearing and continued prosecution for the said offences tantamounts to malicious prosecution,” she argues.

Kyakabale, the former manager in-charge of civilian personnel in UPDF Air Forces is battling charges of fraud alongside Maj. Kapalaga Lubega, 60 and his wife Evas Lubega Twinomujuni, 49.

Lubega is a former UPDF officer attached to Air-force under the directorate of medical services.

They were charged under section 176(g) of the UPDF Act, 2005. A person who commits fraud is on conviction, liable to imprisonment not exceeding seven years.

Prosecution led by Maj. Raphael Mugisha alleges that the accused between the months of October 2015 and January 2016 caused the ministry of defence to enter into an employment contract with Valerie Ketrisk, a Russian non-existing pilot.

Human rights norms strongly disfavor the trial of civilians by military courts. Uganda has repeatedly disregarded this doctrine.