UPDF soldier shoots three dead in Kotido

Kotido, (UG): A team of joint security forces in the Karamoja sub-region are investigating circumstances under which a UPDF Soldier shot dead three people and one injured in Kotido district.

The incident happened on Friday morning in Nakapelimoru trading centre after a soldier identified as Peter Lokidii attached to the 2nd Division 303 brigade in Kanungu district who had been on leave, ran to Nakapelimoru Police station ostensibly to open a case of threatening violence against his village mates.

Michael Longole, the Mt Moroto regional police spokesperson confirmed the incident asserting that the soldier broke into the residence of the Officer-In-charge of Nakapelimoru police station and accessed the gun which he used to shoot three people dead and injuring another in the process.

The deceased individuals have been identified as Peter Lojale, the village chairperson for Longelep village in Kanair sub-county, Lochoriathe Angol, and Lopirongole Locheng.

According to Longole, the scene was visited by a team of detectives who managed to retrieve items of evidential value and arrested the suspect.

He noted that the security team also recovered a gun UG. POL 56368949 with 113 ammunition used in the gruesome killing.

Longole said the bodies were taken to Kotido General Hospital mortuary for postmortem while the injured one is currently undergoing treatment at the same facility.

Longole said that the investigations have commenced and once completed the suspect will be arraigned to the courts of law to answer the charges of murder which attracts a maximum penalty of death sentence.

“We sincerely condole with the grieved families for the loss of their dear ones and we urge the Community to remain calm as they help the police with necessary information during the course of the investigation” Longole said mournfully.

So far, at least three cases of gun violence by the security personnel have been recorded within the area in period of one week.