UPDF arrests four officers over beating Mityana LCV boss

MITYANA - Four UPDF officers have been arrested over allegations of assault occasioned on Joseph Luzige, the Mityana district LCV boss.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire said the four soldiers, L/Cpl. Simon Peter Anguria, Pte. Simon Odeke, Pte. Caroline Musundi and Pte. Isaac Okello, will be prosecuted when investigations are concluded.

"Yesterday (Tuesday) on July 7, 2020, a patrol squad on routine duty in Mityana municipality manhandled the LCV chairman for Mityana district, Joseph Luzige.  The circumstances are yet to be established. The UPDF regrets this gross act of indiscipline that is not characteristic of the UPDF as a people's army," Karemire said.

Karemire added: "In response to this incident, the following who were involved have been arrested and will be prosecuted in the military court: L/Cpl. Anguria, Pte. Odeke, Pte. Musundi and Pte. Okello."

The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. David Muhoozi, has since sent a team of senior officers to assess the situation.

"Investigations have also commenced. Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Forces has sent a team of senior leaders that include, Maj. Gen. Sam Kavuma, the deputy commander of land forces, Maj. Gen. Sam Kawaga, the 1st division commander and Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko, the chief political commissar to Mityana to make an on spot assessment and confer with both the district leaders and the district security committee," Karemire said.

"We wish to restate that discipline remains a core value and bedrock on which the UPDF was founded.  Anyone who deviates from this will always be punished according to the established laws," he added.

Luzige was on Tuesday allegedly assaulted as he attempted to stop army officers from harassing a woman and other residents during curfew time.