By Our Reporter
LAMWO: The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) 5th, Division Field Court Martial on Monday sentenced to 30 years in jail a UPDF soldier for shooting to death a civilian.
The field court martial which was chaired by Col. Gabriel Wamala found Pt. Ronald Odera (23), attached to Lamwo Banabana Battalion in Madi Opei sub-county, guilty of murdering Emmanuel Kica on the night of February, 14th, 2022.
Court heard that Pte Odera on the night of Feb.14th, 2022, at a night disco place at Aroko village Madi Opei Town council, Lamwo district, Pt Odera shot and injured Kica after a fight which ensued between the deceased and unidentified person.
According to prosecution, Odera who was in the company of another soldier arrested the deceased who later attempted to escape before he was shot in the stomach and abandoned at the scene.
The deceased was later rushed to St Joseph Hospital Kitgum by well-wishers who found him lying unconscious in a pool of blood and he died the following day.
Pt Odera who looks remorseful pleaded for a lighter sentence saying he is sick suffering from a sickness which he did not disclose.
However, Col. Wamala, the court chairperson, which was held at Madi Opei Town council headquarters handed the convict a 30 year jail term saying the sentence is to deter other serving UPDF solders from coming such offense because UPDF does not condoned such act and the duty of the UPDF is to protect civilian and their properties.
