District chairman on murder charge
Feb 10, 2010
THE district chairman of Kotido has been arrested over the killing of a political opponent last month. Paul Lomanio was nabbed at the CID head office in Kibuli in Kampala on Monday.
By Herbert Ssempogo
and Olandason Wanyama
THE district chairman of Kotido has been arrested over the killing of a political opponent last month. Paul Lomanio was nabbed at the CID head office in Kibuli in Kampala on Monday, Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said.
He reportedly went there on learning that he was wanted over the killing of Chefaf Alepel on January 24 at Payangara on Moroto-Kotido road.
He was transferred to the Central Police Station in Kampala where he was detained.
The New Vision, however, learned that Lomanio, said to be asthmatic, was yesterday receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital, under Police guard.
According to the Police, Alepel, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement, intended to contest for the post of district boss. He had recently distributed his campaign posters.
Following this, Lomanio reportedly hired Adon Limapus and Angella Lochiyo to kill Alepel, which they did at about 8:00pm.
“The men were immediately arrested and taken to an army facility because the Police station was congested. Unfortunately, a room in which they were held was thatched with grass, which they removed before disappearing,†a senior Police officer said.
Other sources said the two have been seen moving in Rikitae in Payangara sub-county. While at Kotido Police Station, the two reportedly said Lomanio hired them to kill Alepel.
Nabakooba yesterday disclosed that the file with evidence was sanctioned, adding that Lomanio would appear in a Kotido court over murder charges.
This is second murder case involving a district chairman. In Mayuge, tension is high after the district chief, Ikoba Tigawalana, was convicted in December of killing rival Fred Musiitwa.
The High Court had acquitted him in 2005. He fled after his conviction and has been reported in a neighbouring country.
Tigawalana and Musiitwa had been longtime friends. They fell out when Musiitwa filed a petition against his friend’s election as district chairman.
and Olandason Wanyama
THE district chairman of Kotido has been arrested over the killing of a political opponent last month. Paul Lomanio was nabbed at the CID head office in Kibuli in Kampala on Monday, Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said.
He reportedly went there on learning that he was wanted over the killing of Chefaf Alepel on January 24 at Payangara on Moroto-Kotido road.
He was transferred to the Central Police Station in Kampala where he was detained.
The New Vision, however, learned that Lomanio, said to be asthmatic, was yesterday receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital, under Police guard.
According to the Police, Alepel, a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement, intended to contest for the post of district boss. He had recently distributed his campaign posters.
Following this, Lomanio reportedly hired Adon Limapus and Angella Lochiyo to kill Alepel, which they did at about 8:00pm.
“The men were immediately arrested and taken to an army facility because the Police station was congested. Unfortunately, a room in which they were held was thatched with grass, which they removed before disappearing,†a senior Police officer said.
Other sources said the two have been seen moving in Rikitae in Payangara sub-county. While at Kotido Police Station, the two reportedly said Lomanio hired them to kill Alepel.
Nabakooba yesterday disclosed that the file with evidence was sanctioned, adding that Lomanio would appear in a Kotido court over murder charges.
This is second murder case involving a district chairman. In Mayuge, tension is high after the district chief, Ikoba Tigawalana, was convicted in December of killing rival Fred Musiitwa.
The High Court had acquitted him in 2005. He fled after his conviction and has been reported in a neighbouring country.
Tigawalana and Musiitwa had been longtime friends. They fell out when Musiitwa filed a petition against his friend’s election as district chairman.