LDU officer who killed six to hang
Feb 03, 2009
THE Local Defence Unit (LDU) soldier, who killed six civilians and injured eight others is to hang.<br>The murder occurred during a fight over a woman in an internally displaced people’s camp (IDP) disco hall in July last year.
By Chris Ocowun and Denis Ojwee
THE Local Defence Unit (LDU) soldier, who killed six civilians and injured eight others is to hang.
The murder occurred during a fight over a woman in an internally displaced people’s camp (IDP) disco hall in July last year.
According to a press release by the regional army spokesman, Capt. Ronald Kakurungu, the UPDF 5th Division court martial convicted Kenneth Albino Opwonya of ‘November’ LDU Battalion under the UPDF 401 Brigade of murder and sentenced him to death.
“The accused was found guilty of murdering Nyeko Oyet, Vincent Omony, Obina Tolit, Ismail Okello, David Opira and David Orach by shooting on July 3, 2008,†Kakurungu said.
He said Opwonya’s trial, which started in July 2008, was halted due to administrative problems. It was resumed on January 21.
Kakurungu added that all the court sessions during the trial were conducted at Omiya-Nyima IDP camp to give the residents an opportunity to witness the proceedings.
“This action, among many others, is yet another manifestation of UPDF’s zero tolerance to crime of any magnitude among its ranks and file. We promise never to loosen our grip on that, since it is one of the core foundations of the institution’s existence and survival,†Kakurungu said.
A number of UPDF soldiers in the 4th and 5th divisions in Gulu and Pader districts are being tried for crimes ranging from capital to minor.
The crimes were committed against civilians and UPDF soldiers.
THE Local Defence Unit (LDU) soldier, who killed six civilians and injured eight others is to hang.
The murder occurred during a fight over a woman in an internally displaced people’s camp (IDP) disco hall in July last year.
According to a press release by the regional army spokesman, Capt. Ronald Kakurungu, the UPDF 5th Division court martial convicted Kenneth Albino Opwonya of ‘November’ LDU Battalion under the UPDF 401 Brigade of murder and sentenced him to death.
“The accused was found guilty of murdering Nyeko Oyet, Vincent Omony, Obina Tolit, Ismail Okello, David Opira and David Orach by shooting on July 3, 2008,†Kakurungu said.
He said Opwonya’s trial, which started in July 2008, was halted due to administrative problems. It was resumed on January 21.
Kakurungu added that all the court sessions during the trial were conducted at Omiya-Nyima IDP camp to give the residents an opportunity to witness the proceedings.
“This action, among many others, is yet another manifestation of UPDF’s zero tolerance to crime of any magnitude among its ranks and file. We promise never to loosen our grip on that, since it is one of the core foundations of the institution’s existence and survival,†Kakurungu said.
A number of UPDF soldiers in the 4th and 5th divisions in Gulu and Pader districts are being tried for crimes ranging from capital to minor.
The crimes were committed against civilians and UPDF soldiers.