AMUDAT, UGANDA: Police in Amudat have arrested an ex-UPDF soldier turned deserter for allegedly killing a 66-year-old man in a bar in Multasukan Village, Abilyep Sub-county, Amudat district.
The suspect identified as Private John Lowase is alleged to have strangled Lorisa Cheporoke, 66, to death after the deceased reportedly failed to clear the bill in the bar.
Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson, Mr Mike Longole confirmed the incident on Tuesday and explained that the deceased after getting drunk in a bar allegedly tried to avoid paying his bills prompting the suspect to follow and strangle him to death.
He said police visited the scene and a post-mortem has been done.
The UPDF 3rd Division spokesperson, Maj Isaac Oware, said the suspect deserted the army in 2016.
“He underwent refresher training at Kavera Training School in Kasese District. Later, he was among the soldiers who were nominated to undergo the mandatory pre-mission training [for then African Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom), now African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at Peace Support Operations Centre, Singo, in Nakaseke District,” Maj Oware said.
Maj Oware added that, upon completion of pre-mission training, the suspect was placed under 346 Battalion, which was part of Uganda Battle Group (UGABAG) XIV to serve in Somalia.
“After UGABAG XIV rotation and post-mission induction, the troops were granted one-month compassionate pass leave before returning to mother units. Pte Lowase did not return to his mother unit or report to any army establishment, hence a status of absence without official leave (AWOL) was entered into the UPDF system, rendering him a deserter,” he said.
“It’s sad that he conducted himself in such a cruel manner, leading to the precious loss of life of an innocent Ugandan. As UPDF, we do not condone such degrading misconduct,” he added.
Maj Oware said the suspect, currently detained at Amudat Central Police Station will be charged with murder and desertion contrary to Section 146 of the UPDF Act, 2005, among other accounts.
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