High Court jails soldier for life over murder

May 20, 2009

AN army deserter has been sentenced to life imprisonment after the High Court in Lira found him guilty of murdering his aunt.

By Patrick Oloch
and Alex Ocen

AN army deserter has been sentenced to life imprisonment after the High Court in Lira found him guilty of murdering his aunt.

Justice Stephen Musota heard that Pte. Patrick Ogwang shot Angelina Atim following a misunderstanding over a hen on October 18, 2001.

Prosecution said Atim asked Ogwang to rear her hen for her.

The court heard that on several occasions, Atim asked Ogwang for her hen and its chicks, but Ogwang refused to give them to her.

Prosecution added that at one time, Ogwang chased Atim away from his home with a panga after she had demanded the hen.

Court heard that on the fateful day, Ogwang left home with a friend and went to drink at the home of Faustino Epawa where he found Atim and they had a disagreement.

Ogwang left the drinking joint at around 5:00pm and returned to his home, while Achola left at around 7:00pm, the prosecution said.

As Atim was returning home with her daughter, identified as Anna, Ogwang shot at her several times. Atim’s husband took her to Dokolo Health Centre where she died on October 19, 2001.

A medical report showed that Atim was shot on the mouth, forehead, stomach and legs.

The LC1 chairperson, parish chief and the Police found Ogwang hiding behind an anthill and arrested him.

Ogwang confessed to killing his aunt and even led the Police to where he had hidden the gun used in the shooting.

Ogwang, a former local defence unit guard, was the second person to be sentenced to life imprisonment within three weeks of the court’s sitting in Lira.

Lt. William Obote was two weeks ago also sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife, Grace Katherine Achola, in 2005.

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