Gulu: UPDF Soldier Kills 3 in Shooting Rampage

Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier yesterday evening went on rampage, opening fire on civilians in Gulu Municipality.

The soldier, now in custody has been identified by police as Cpl. Geoffrey Okello, who is attached to the army’s 4^th Division in Gulu

Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema says the shooting took place last night at around 11pm, at Vanguard Sub Ward, in Pece Division, Gulu Municipality.

Three people according to the police spokesman, were killed on spot while one was rushed to hospital with severe injuries.

The deceased have been identified as Beatrice Ajok, 52, Dan Joakim Binyang, 18, and Norman Owen, 20, who was a Senior 6 student at Pope John Paul Nakaseke.

An 8-year-old girl, Okema says, was caught in the shooting and rushed to St Mary’s Hospital Lacor for treatment.

“She was shot on the left thigh, and lost too much blood, but she is in stable condition, though blood needs to be transfused on her,” Okema says.

While the suspect fled the scene after the shooting, UPDF Spokesman Brig Richard Karemire confirmed to us this morning that he was later arrested and detained.

Karemire says the motive for the shooting was yet to be established, but promised that the suspect will face the full stretch of justice.

“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims,” he said.

“We very much regret such an incident and the perpetrator will definitely be punished and brought to justice.”

Police spokesman Okema says the deceased bodies were taken to Gulu Referral Hospital’s mortuary pending post-mortem.