UPDF Soldier Arrested For Theft

A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier has been arrested in Nakaseke district for alleged cattle theft.

 

Residents of Kakoola village in Kapeeka Sub County in Nakaseke district arrested Private Sylvester Kusemerera, attached to Singo Military Training School and handed him over to Kapeeka police station, according to Mulwana Tuufu, one of those who lost their cows.

Tuufu tells Uganda Radio Network that Kusemererwa was arrested on Sunday, a day after he had lost his 120kg cow from the kraal. The soldier was found at a local market trying to sell the stolen cow at a give-away price.

Four more heads of cattle that went missing were found at Kusemererwa’s home. They belonged to Matia Tulepuke, Peter Mujambere, Dan Wakabi and Haruna Katimbo, all local residents of the area.

Christine Anyai, the Officer in Charge of Kapeeka police station confirms receiving the suspect from the residents. She says that thereafter she forwarded him to the army.

Moses Walimbwa, the Intelligence Officer at the Military School, says they have the suspect in their custody and he is to be charged with theft in the Unit Disciplinary Court after completion of investigations.

Early last month, a UPDF soldier Corporal Derrick Komakech, who is attached to the 5th Division in Pader, survived lynching for alleged theft.

Florence Acan, a resident of Lagwi zone A in Pader town council accused him of stealing her mattress and bed sheets. She raised an alarm that attracted the mob, before police intervened to rescue him.  

 

In 2009, Franc Katana, a UPDF soldier attached to Bombo barracks was arrested for theft of 15 heads of cattle in Hoima.

Section 145 of the UPDF Act 2005 provides for dismissal with disgrace officers and men who act in a scandalous manner.  The Act defines “scandalous conduct” as the personal conduct of an officer which is generally against public order, expectations and morality, whether or not the conduct directly or indirectly affects others.