In a heated argument that lasted for six hours, Joseph Otita one of the elders, now the LC3 chairperson Rupa sub county says they considered Bill’s request for the land and he was given more than 100 acres to set up a home for the orphans.
Col. Frank Kateraho, the chairperson of the court martial pronounced the convict, Achucu as the most notorious warrior who is commanding a group of sixty armed warriors distributed all over Karamoja and Turkana in Kenya
While convicting the convicts, Col Francis Kateraho noted that the government gave the suspects ample time to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms in their possession but they chose to pay a deaf ear, which prompted the joint security forces to apply force leading to their arrest.
Prosecution led by Lt. Hamuza Mulike Hirya informed court chaired by Col. Bernard Tuhame that Apakuto, while in a drunken state, unlawfully caused the death of Ahmed Lokong of Nadomoto village, by shooting using an AK 47 riffle.
A section of the community now lives in fear especially about the firearms that are in the wrong hands. Dinah Ayo, a resident in Moroto town says the loose firearms could be used by the escapees to perpetuate more crime, not only in Moroto but anywhere in the country.
Prosecution led by Lt. Alex Rasto Mukhana told court that while in Rengen Sub County on Feb 23rd, 2020, Lokure accepted to wear military uniform and carry a firearm belonging to one of the LDUs deployed at Rengen Water pump purporting to be a member of the forces and even went on unlawful operation.
According to Ediau, the activities of the poachers are threatening the tourism industry especially in Karamoja sub region, which is endowed with many rare animal species. He revealed that a number of suspects have been produced in court and remanded, awaiting trial.
Raphael Eritoi, an aspirant for the Nadunget LCV councillors seat was shot dead on October 1, 2015, at Kambisi village, along Moroto-Kitale road in Karamoja sub-region. The deceased was a key campaign agent for the former Matheniko County MP, Samuel Abura Pirir.
The High Court Criminal Session is expected to handle 50 cases including 21 of rape, 18 of aggravated defilement and 11 cases of murder. The cases were drawn from 2015 and 2016 across the eight districts of Karamoja.
The absence of a resident Chief Magistrate has affected cases mainly related to sexual violence in the region. Although statistics at Moroto Central Prison indicates that there are more than 700 inmates in the cells, over 500 inmates are on remand due to absence of a substantive court jurisdiction to try them.
One inmate, John Loupa was found hanging on Sunday in an isolation cell where he had been put by management after fighting his cellmate, David Ochen. Another, Samuel Losia was found bleeding after cutting up his stomach with a razor blade. Ochen and Losia are nursing injuries at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital.
The commission, in its May 2018 visit to different mining sites across the region notes that findings indicate that a lot has changed since their last visit in 2016.
Delivering his verdict, Col. John Wasswa, the 3rd Division Court Martial Chairman, said the sentence serves as a warning to LDUs entrusted with government stores. He notes that carelessness in gun usage can cause death of innocent people.
Col. John Wasswa, the Third Division Court Martial Chairman, said the sentences are meant to serve as a deterrent to other LDUs and civilians with similar intentions.
Solomon Muyita, the Judiciary spokesman, says the post will be filled soon. He notes that the Moroto magisterial area will for now be under the care of the neighboring Mbale and Soroti magisterial areas.
Lotee told investigators that Paul Komarem alias Ssebaggala contracted him at a cost of 4.5 million Shillings to kill Eritoi. He confessed that he shot the deceased twice in the chest, as he returned home on the fateful day. Lotee also disclosed that the gun which was used in the mission was hired at 600,000 Shillings from Emmanuel Lochan, an officer attached to the Local Defense Unit detach in Kambizi.
Patricia Achom, a Legal Officer with Uganda Law Society says the absence of medics and police is itself injustice to the Karamoja community and accused persons.
