Soldier jailed 50 years for killing two women

By Michael Odeng                                        

A soldier who shot and killed two women at a bar in Luzira, a city suburb, after he was stopped from playing a game of pool, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison by the General Court Martial (GCM).

The court, presided over by Maj. Gen Levi Karuhanga last week convicted Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) Pte Wilson Cheptai, 39, of two counts of murder and causing grievous bodily harm, after prosecution adduced enough evidence to incriminate him.

"Prosecution has proved that Cheptai was guilty of not only perpetrating the homicide but also with malice aforethought, "Karuhanga ruled. He added that deceased's death was unlawfully caused by Cheptai.

Karuhanga handed Cheptai 50 years for murder and five years for causing grievous bodily harm. The sentences will be served con-currently.  Cheptai had spent five years in prison at Luzira.

On April 16, 2010, Cheptai shot dead Regina Aber and Maria Alunyo at Lake Land Bristol bar in Luzira. Bob Saidi was injured during the incident. Cheptai looked shaken, nervous as he stood in the dock. He was teary eyed.

Passing the sentence yesterday, Karuhanga noted that Cheptai used a deadly weapon and targeted vulnerable body parts of the deceased.