Two women, soldier held over Magamaga officer's murder

MURDER | 

The Police in Mayuge district have arrested two women and a Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) officer over the murder of another soldier.

James Mubi, the Busoga east Police spokesperson, said the trio is suspected to have murdered Sgt Samson Emoding Achana, whose body was discovered on Monday morning in Bridge zone at the Magamaga by-pass.

Mubi said preliminary findings indicate that Emoding Achana was first beaten then strangled to death.

Achana, according to Capt. George Musinguzi, the army spokesperson for Busoga sub-region, was attached to the engineering brigade at Magamaga barracks located in Magamaga town council in Mayuge district.

At the scene, the Police found a big stone, which is suspected to have been used in the murder.

The Police recovered a bag containing a mobile phone, a T-shirt, a pair of trousers and food, including cooking oil.

Police detectives, led by the Mayuge officer in charge of criminal investigations, Hassan Karenget and officer in charge of the station, combed the scene to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.

They said a blood trail into Magamaga barracks led to the arrest of one of the soldiers, along with the two women.

Musa Kasinda, the Wandago councillor, said the people are abusing the directives of the President in fighting COVID-19.

He said despite the curfew, people in the area move the whole night, without being apprehended.

"Bars still operate and I guess we might have lost a life in a misunderstanding under the influence of alcohol," he said.

He urged the Police to step up its surveillance and operations to crack down on the people breaking the presidential directives.

Some residents said once soldiers are paid salaries, they resort to drinking recklessly, which leads to clashes.

Achana becomes the second soldier after Lance Corporal Joel Cherukut, 35, to be killed at the same spot.

Cherukut was murdered in December last year. On May 14, another victim, Patrick Basoga, a barber, was killed as he watched the 7:00pm news at his home.

Mubi said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the death.

Achans's body was still at the Jinja Hospital morgue by press time.