Three soldiers executed after unfair trial, says AI

The rights group, Amnesty International (AI), has condemned the execution on Monday of three members of the Ugandan People's Defence Force (UPDF) who were convicted by a military court of murdering civilians. "These men seem to have been made scapegoats to give the impression that the army deals swiftly with those who have committed crimes," said AI. The organisation added that the manner in which they were tried, and the speed with which the executions were carried out without any possibility of an appeal, constituted a denial of their right to a fair and independent trial. Two of the accused, Kambacho Ssenyonjo and Alfred Okech, who were found guilty of the killing of three men last January, had reportedly been denied access to legal representation, AI said. The executions were reportedly carried out only one hour after the sentences were passed. The other UPDF soldier, Richard Wigiri, was convicted of murdering a woman last December. "The failure of the Ugandan government to prevent unfair trials and executions within the army can only demonstrate, both to the international community and to Ugandans themselves, that the government is unwilling to respect human rights standards," AI said. In March 2002, two other soldiers were executed following the killing of three civilians. It was reported at the time that the court martial lasted only two hours and 36 minutes, AI said.