Soldiers to be tried over Koboko shooting
Mar 08, 2009
THREE UPDF soldiers who were involved in the shooting that sparked off riots in Koboko town on Friday have been arrested.<br>
By Frank Mugabi
THREE UPDF soldiers who were involved in the shooting that sparked off riots in Koboko town on Friday have been arrested.
Cpl. Maseruka Esenania, who is the head of revenue enforcement at Oraba border post, Cpl. Wilson Tumwebaze and Pt. Gerald Muhumuza were apprehended on Saturday as the Police launched investigations into the incident where two people died and two sustained injuries.
The Police identified the dead as Aloro Denaya and Cosmas Data both from Nyagilia village, Midia sub-county. They were buried over the weekend.
The duo were shot in the confusion that erupted when a mob attempted to lynch the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement officers who were carrying out an operation against smuggled fuel in Koboko district.
The mob later burnt the URA car and vandalised the URA offices. Electronic gadgets, impounded goods and documents, including tax files were destroyed.
Army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye said the three soldiers would be aligned before the General court martial during an open session where civilians are allowed.
However, the URA northern customs boss, Daniel Arorwa, said: “These were soldiers seconded to us by the army. The incident occurred when they were on duty. They found the culprits with 240 litres of smuggled fuel. In the process of impounding it there was a scuffle. People started stoning the soldiers and smashed the wind screen of their car.â€
Arorwa explained that on sensing danger, the operatives shot in the air to scare away the mob.
“But the stones were so many and some people wanted to disarm them. That is when they shot and a bullet hit a boda boda rider,†Arorwa said.
He suggested that the soldiers should appear in a civilian court to allow ample time for investigations.
However the UPDF 4th Division commander, Brig. Charles Otema, said: “The UPDF cannot tolerate a situation where you are in uniform and become trigger happy. That is against our code of conduct. They will face the Court Martial,†Otema said in a telephone interview yestarday.
He said the court would be convened within a week in Koboko town.
The Arua URA office contributed sh200,000 in burial expenses to the two bereaved families.
Arorwa said the office would re-open after repairs.
THREE UPDF soldiers who were involved in the shooting that sparked off riots in Koboko town on Friday have been arrested.
Cpl. Maseruka Esenania, who is the head of revenue enforcement at Oraba border post, Cpl. Wilson Tumwebaze and Pt. Gerald Muhumuza were apprehended on Saturday as the Police launched investigations into the incident where two people died and two sustained injuries.
The Police identified the dead as Aloro Denaya and Cosmas Data both from Nyagilia village, Midia sub-county. They were buried over the weekend.
The duo were shot in the confusion that erupted when a mob attempted to lynch the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement officers who were carrying out an operation against smuggled fuel in Koboko district.
The mob later burnt the URA car and vandalised the URA offices. Electronic gadgets, impounded goods and documents, including tax files were destroyed.
Army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye said the three soldiers would be aligned before the General court martial during an open session where civilians are allowed.
However, the URA northern customs boss, Daniel Arorwa, said: “These were soldiers seconded to us by the army. The incident occurred when they were on duty. They found the culprits with 240 litres of smuggled fuel. In the process of impounding it there was a scuffle. People started stoning the soldiers and smashed the wind screen of their car.â€
Arorwa explained that on sensing danger, the operatives shot in the air to scare away the mob.
“But the stones were so many and some people wanted to disarm them. That is when they shot and a bullet hit a boda boda rider,†Arorwa said.
He suggested that the soldiers should appear in a civilian court to allow ample time for investigations.
However the UPDF 4th Division commander, Brig. Charles Otema, said: “The UPDF cannot tolerate a situation where you are in uniform and become trigger happy. That is against our code of conduct. They will face the Court Martial,†Otema said in a telephone interview yestarday.
He said the court would be convened within a week in Koboko town.
The Arua URA office contributed sh200,000 in burial expenses to the two bereaved families.
Arorwa said the office would re-open after repairs.