Details have emerged about the circumstances under which the chief of Communications and IT (CCIT) in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Colonel Peter Ssemakula was arrested and detained by military authorities.
While social media reports indicated that Ssemakula was arrested for receiving a $300,000 bribe from a ‘South African Development Cooperation (SADC)’ country to spy on Uganda’s military communications, an investigation by ChimpReports had established that the army officer was jailed for corruption.
While social media reports indicated that Ssemakula was arrested for receiving a $300,000 bribe from a ‘South African Development Cooperation (SADC)’ country to spy on Uganda’s military communications, an investigation by ChimpReports had established that the army officer was jailed for corruption.
“Yes, it is true, according to my boss (Gen Muhoozi), Col Ssemakula was arrested for receiving a bribe for the supply of communication equipment,” said Defence spokesperson Felix Kulayigye in a telephone interview with ChimpReports.
“He (Col Sserwanga) is facing trial before the Court Martial,” he added.
It all started around 2023 when a Namibian company known as Satcom, approached Ugandan military authorities with a proposal to supply the Leopard 1 Wideband military Software Defined Radios (SDR) to UPDF.
The Namibian company was represented in Uganda by a commission agent called Ambrose Mutafungwa.
The Leopard 1 radio is also configurable for portable, mobile, base, and repeater station applications.
The then Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbadi Mbadi and Col Ssemakula traveled to Namibia where Satcom demonstrated the capacity of the radios.
Sources told ChimpReports on Tuesday morning that UPDF’s contracts committee eventually chaired by Gen Mbadi cleared the deal worth about $200m.
Now, the world don’t move to the beat
However, it is understood that UPDF had earlier used similar radios only to realise that they would heat up and were not convenient for the jungle environment.
Nevertheless, Mbadi persuaded president Museveni to endorse the deal, leading to the signing of the contract with Satcom to supply the radios.
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‘Bribe’
According to a military investigation, Mutafungwa, who was in a celebratory mood after securing the deal, reportedly facilitated Col Ssemakula to receive a $300,000 (Shs 1bn) ‘bribe’ from SatCom.
Yes, it is true, according to my boss (Gen Muhoozi), Col Ssemakula was arrested for receiving a bribe for the supply of communication equipment.
Statement
As the head of the user department (communications), Col Ssemakula had prepared the required paperwork to justify the procurement of the radios.
To avoid being caught, Col Ssemakula reportedly asked a friendly witchdoctor to keep the $300,000 he received from Satcom.
