Court sentences UPDF soldier to life imprisonment over murder

The court, presided over by Colonel Ismail Ssendagire, was informed that on May 31, 2023, at around 5 p.m., Mukanja shot and killed Omol Justine after a disagreement over a football match.

According to Major Flavia Terimulungi, spokesperson for the 5th Division, the court also sentenced Private Okello George of the 81st Battalion to 30 years in prison for attempted murder.

According to the court, on the afternoon of August 27, 2023, in Lira Kato sub-country, Agago district, a soldier shot and injured Odwel John following a disagreement. The injured person is still being treated at Lacor Hospital, according to Terimilungi.

Another soldier, Private Ssekaja Ivan, was condemned to 14 months in prison for failing to protect war materiel during the same session.

Col. Ssendagire emphasised that the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) will continue to adhere to its beliefs, adding that they do not condone soldiers using guns against the very people they are supposed to defend.

According to the 2022 Police Crime Report, the number of crimes committed in the country increased dramatically in 2022 when compared to the previous year.

The report indicated that the number of offences grew by more than 18% in one year compared to the previous one.

"A total of 231,653 cases were reported in 2022, up from 1960–81 in 2021. Thefts increased by 41% to 61508 from 43583 in 2021, while assaults increased by 9% from 29317 to 32041," the report revealed.

Domestic violence instances grew by 1% to 17698 from 17533 reported in 2021, while breakings increased by 36% to 13826 from 10,148 the previous year, according to the data.