Brigadier Ondoga’s Relatives Unhappy with His Trial

Political leaders and relatives of Brigadier Michael Ondoga in Moyo district are unhappy with the trial of their son in the court martial.

Brigadier Ondoga is facing service charges, which are believed to have led to the loss of lives, military equipment, diversion of fuel, food rations and troop morale during the AMISOM peace keeping mission in Somalia.

He is also accused of failure to execute his duties and offences relating to operations. Last week, Brigadier Ondoga collapsed in Makindye barracks where he is being held due to ill health and was rushed to Bombo Military hospital for treatment. The news of Ondoga’s ill health has drawn angry reactions from politicians and his relatives in Moyo, his home district.

Paul Maiku Did, the Moyo District LC V vice chairperson says the decision by the army to deny Ondonga bail on grounds of ill health to allow him access better treatment is suspicious. He wonders why government has taken the charges against Odonga seriously yet he is not the only public official implicated in corruption.

Martin Chaiga, the Moyo District Council speaker says despite the fact that it is illegal to comment on matters before court, it is painful to see Ondoga suffering as if he personally killed someone.

He has asked the army to consider granting Ondonga bail to allow him access proper medical care. Joshua Lagu, a brother to the detained soldier says he is unhappy with the way the army is handling his sibling. He has asked MPs and leaders from the region to follow up the matter with government. Lagu argues that Brig Ondoga does not deserve that kind of treatment he is getting from an institution he has served diligently.

He has called on the people of West Nile to pray for the soldiers so that he is released unconditionally. Michael Kadabara, a resident of Pacuawi east village in Moyo Sub County says it is time the Madi mobilize and lobby for release of their son. Capt. Mark Mutono, the West Nile UPDF spokesperson has called for calm amongst the relatives of Brig. Ondoga. He says the court will decide the fate of Brigadier Ondoga basing on the evidence presented by the state against him.