UPDF soldier on trial for killing 10 people

By Pascal Kwesiga   
                                     
As the public trial of the UPDF soldier accused of murdering ten people in Bombo town kicked off, it emerged that the accused reportedly killed victims to destroy evidence in a case of attempted rape that had been brought against him.

The General Court Martial presided over by Brig. Fred Tolit at Mpakawero village in Bombo Town Council in Luwero district where Pte. Patrick Okot allegedly killed nine people before killing another one as he fled, heard that the accused was due to go on trial for attempting to rape a daughter of one of the victims.
 

true
 Pte. Patrick Okot (centre) arrives at the court. PHOTO: Kennedy Oryema

Prosecution witness, Florence Ajang told court at Bombo Health Center III on Monday, that on March 06, 2013, the accused raided the home of Sgt. Onesmus Adule where he attempted to rape his 13-year old daughter, Grace Candiru.

It also emerged that Okot had a fight with Adule at the bar operated by the wife of the former before he raided his home where he attempted to rape his daughter.

Okot is facing ten counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, one count of failure to protect war materials and another one of aggrevated robbery.
 

true
 Pte. Patrick Okot in the dock. PHOTO: Kennedy Oryema

Prosecution led by, Capt. Fredrick Kangwamu and Lt. Gerald Bamwitirebye alleges that Okot on March 08, 2013 gunned down, Sgt. Onesmus Adule, Cpl. Isaac Osele, Sgt. Joel Obote, Warrant officer II Francis Musana, Pte. Teddy Namatovu, Amina Asolo, Wilfred Oriba, Sarah Akol and Florence Akulu at a local bar in Mpakawero village.

He is also accused of having attempted to murder, Francis Ogugu, Grace Asiyo and Akibalu Isule on the same day.

Akulu was the wife of Adule and mother of the girl that the accused attempted to rape. As he fled, prosecution alleges that Okot killed a security guard, David Oketcho before robbing, Lukia Atimango and Norah Alanya of sh2,000 and a mobile.

He reportedly found the two ladies with Oketcho heading to a place where they were going to mark the last funeral rites of their deceased friend at Nakatonya village in Bombo Town council at around 1:00am.
 

 true
Pte. Patrick Okot arrives for his trial. PHOTO: Kennedy Oryema

According to Ajang, after he allegedly killed nine people at the bar located behind the cells of Bombo general military headquarters, the accused proceeded to the home of Adule where he shot through the house three times before shooting into a nearby house belonging to, Pte. David Barugala whom he accused of intervening when he attempted to rape Candiru.

The home of the late Adule is a few meters away from the bar where he was killed with his wife along seven others within Bombo barracks.