Former Arrow Boys militia member Francis Orego, 40, has been accused of rape, murder, aggravated robbery and illegal possession of a gun by the Police in Soroti City.

Orego, a resident of Arubela village, Dakabela parish, Arapai sub-cunty in Soroti district, has allegedly been in hiding because of his connection to the crimes he is accused of.

The Arrow Boys militia was made up of local vigilantes in Teso region that complemented the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) efforts to ward off rebel attacks during the war with the Lord's Resistance Army. The group helped the Government to defeat the rebels in 2004.

The gun that was recovered by the Police (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

According to the Kyoga East Police region spokesperson Oscar Ageca, it is alleged that on June 30, 2023, Orego shot dead John Baptist Musisi of Opiyai A, Opiyai ward, in the city's east division.

Police further noted that in 2008, Orego was arrested on the allegation that his gun was used in the murder of the officer-in-charge of Kichinjaji Police.

Orego was found guilty in courts of law, and he was sentenced to 22 years in prison. He, however, appealed the sentence and was released after serving part of the sentence.

What led to his arrest this time around, Police say, is that on Monday this week at about 08:00 pm, information was received that Orego was admitted at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital after fighting with his brothers Isaac Ecegu and Emmanuel Ocen whom he had wanted to cut with a panga.

Orego was overpowered and his brothers beat him to pulp leading to his admission for medical attention.

“The Police has recovered exhibits of a bicycle, black jacket and mobile phones from the home of Orego, which he allegedly got during the murder and robbery. We further recovered Riffle number UG UPDF 564807641 with 29 rounds of live ammunition abandoned in a cassava plantation, with another three magazines in a green porch with eight rounds of ammunition pushed under the firewood at the mother’s home,” Ageca said in a statement.

The police recovered a riffle with 29 rounds of live ammunition abandoned in Cassava plantation and another three magazines. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

“We also have two suspects in custody to help with the investigation while the prime suspect Orego is currently undergoing medical attention under guard by Uganda Police,” Ageca said.

Police say they are still looking for other suspects who are believed to be fugitives from justice.

Ageca reiterates Police's commitment to maintaining law and order in communities by protecting members of the public and their property from gun violence and reducing crime by arresting those persons involved.

Files of murder vide CRB 206/2023, aggravated robbery with the aid of a gun and rape vide SD REF 49/28/06/2023 have been opened for Orego.