Two jailed for illegal possesion of guns
Aug 20, 2008
TWO men have been sentenced to seven and eight years imprisonment respectively for illegal possession of firearms. Patrick Okwi and Michael Akol from Malera sub-county in Bukedea district were sentenced after they each pleaded guilty to possessing an illegal sub-machine gun on July 5.
By Daniel Edyegu
TWO men have been sentenced to seven and eight years imprisonment respectively for illegal possession of firearms. Patrick Okwi and Michael Akol from Malera sub-county in Bukedea district were sentenced after they each pleaded guilty to possessing an illegal sub-machine gun on July 5.
The UPDF 3rd Division court martial chaired by Lt. Col. John Bosco Mulindwa said on July 4, the suspects attacked and shot dead Stephen Odeker, a resident of Malera in Bukedea, over a land dispute.
Also charged with murder and illegal possession of firearms were Charles Ilimat, Tom Opus, Simon Obote, Akol Mukalu and Grace Ichakuna from Kabutot village in Malera.
Christine Ijelel, the widow of Odeker, testified in court that Ilimat, who was her husband’s brother, masterminded the killing.
“Ilimat and my mother-in-law were not happy when my father-in-law allocated Odeker part of his land. They kept threatening him that he would not stay long on that land.
On the fateful night, Ilimat shot my husband within our compound when he had moved out for a short call. He threatened to kill me with my children if I made an alarm,†Ijelel told court.
The other three suspects denied the charges and the case was adjourned till August 27 for further hearing.
The mid-eastern sector commander, Opio Obore, said the suspects were netted in a joint operation .
“We recovered 12 guns, a pistol, eight grenades and 300 bullets. The highest recoveries were made in Bukedea and Kumi districts. The civilians were misusing these guns for settling land disputes,†Opio said.
Since the beginning of the year, six people have been killed in Teso sub-region.
TWO men have been sentenced to seven and eight years imprisonment respectively for illegal possession of firearms. Patrick Okwi and Michael Akol from Malera sub-county in Bukedea district were sentenced after they each pleaded guilty to possessing an illegal sub-machine gun on July 5.
The UPDF 3rd Division court martial chaired by Lt. Col. John Bosco Mulindwa said on July 4, the suspects attacked and shot dead Stephen Odeker, a resident of Malera in Bukedea, over a land dispute.
Also charged with murder and illegal possession of firearms were Charles Ilimat, Tom Opus, Simon Obote, Akol Mukalu and Grace Ichakuna from Kabutot village in Malera.
Christine Ijelel, the widow of Odeker, testified in court that Ilimat, who was her husband’s brother, masterminded the killing.
“Ilimat and my mother-in-law were not happy when my father-in-law allocated Odeker part of his land. They kept threatening him that he would not stay long on that land.
On the fateful night, Ilimat shot my husband within our compound when he had moved out for a short call. He threatened to kill me with my children if I made an alarm,†Ijelel told court.
The other three suspects denied the charges and the case was adjourned till August 27 for further hearing.
The mid-eastern sector commander, Opio Obore, said the suspects were netted in a joint operation .
“We recovered 12 guns, a pistol, eight grenades and 300 bullets. The highest recoveries were made in Bukedea and Kumi districts. The civilians were misusing these guns for settling land disputes,†Opio said.
Since the beginning of the year, six people have been killed in Teso sub-region.