Kaabong, (UG):- The Police in Moroto Region, Karamoja are actively investigating circumstances under which Lochoto Ambrose Machete, the Kaabong District National Unity Platform (NU) Chairperson was mistakenly shot dead by security forces on Saturday night.
Lochoto, 30, an ardent Arsenal fan was reportedly shot as returned home from watching a football game between Arsenal and Brentford in Kaabong Town Council, Kaabong District.
Mr Michael Longole, the Regional Police Spokesperson in a Monday police statement said the deceased was fatally shot by the armed security personnel who were responding to gunshots by suspected cattle rustlers in Kakamar sub-county.
“Our security forces responded to gunshots in Kakamar sub-county from suspected cattle rustlers, we laid ambushes in known crossing areas for the raiders, but unfortunately, Lochoto walked into the ambush and that’s how he got shot,” said Mr Longole on Monday.
Mr Longole further clarified that the shooting was not in any way political as the opposition reported on social media shortly after the fatal shooting incident.
“In a situation of an ambush and the time of the shooting, anyone would be suspected of being a wrong person,” he clarified, adding that the deceased was footing and wondered why he dared walk along such a deserted path in the night, even when he had heard gunshots in the area.
He added that they had held a meeting with Lochoto’s family, and handed over the body after an autopsy was carried out at Kaabong Hospital.
Leaders poke holes in police statement
Some local leaders, however, dispute the official police narrative that he was a victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
District councillor for Kaabong Town Council, Mr Gabriel Loiki Paak, said Lochoto left his home on Saturday to watch Arsenal take on Brentford in an English premiership fixture, which went on late into the night.
“After the match, Lochoto, who was accompanied by a young man, walked through Roblyn bus terminal where he had intervened in a fight between two ladies.
“But in the process, a police patrol car that had policemen and UPDF officers arrived at the scene, sending the two ladies to flee to a nearby house,” Mr Loiki said.
He added: “As the ladies fled, Lochoto ran and took cover under one of the buses, but was unfortunately pulled out, bundled onto a police pickup truck, taken to the banks of River Kaabong and shot dead.”
According to Mr Loiki, on Monday morning (today), they found his body riddled with “several bullet wounds”, while “so many cartridges were all over the scene”.
NUP Bosses speak out
The Opposition NUP Principal, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine took to social media on Sunday night shortly after receiving the news of his district chairperson’s shooting and posted thus;
“Onlookers say Lochoto’s killers pursued and shot him dead at close range, and then delivered his body to the mortuary. We’re told they’re now trying to cover up by suggesting that this comrade was a Turkana warrior whom they killed in an ambush!”
He added; “While NUP supporters and mobilisers go through incredible problems all over the country it is worse in Northern Uganda where RDCs, DISOs, GISOs, DPCs etc. work overtime to instil fear in the entire population.”
According to the former presidential contender, “Since the 2021 election, several comrades have been killed in West Nile, Lango, Acholi and Karamoja. We strongly condemn this cowardly action, and demand for justice for comrade Lochoto.”
His fellow NUP leader, the party’s secretary general; Mr David Lewis Rubongoya, also posted saying; “We have lost such a solid comrade who has always put on his people power attire everywhere. Very sad he has been murdered in cold blood.”
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