LDU Personnel Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Murder in Oyam

The 5th Division Court Martial sitting in Oyam district on Tuesday sentenced to Life Imprisonment a Local Defence Unit [LDU] personnel for the act of murder.

Pt. Jolly Thomas Opoka, 22, had this week pleaded guilty to the murder of Francis Ogwang Munu, 65, a resident of Amati Village, Kamdini Sub-county in Oyam district.

Ogwang died on the 27th June 2020 from injuries he sustained after he was brutally kicked and beaten by LDUs who were enforcing the Presidential directives on curfew.

The Court Martial   chaired by Col. Paul Omara also sentenced another LDU Personnel, Pt. Felix Okumu to 40 years in Prison over the same offence.

Lance Corporal Geoffrey Ogwang, UPDF officer co-accused who was commanding the Patrol was also found guilty and handed 20 years behind bars.

The Court Martial said they heard sufficient evidence from witnesses presented before court and determined that these sentences were appropriate.

UPDF Spokesperson Brigadier Richard Karemire also backed the tough sentences saying that discipline will always be the at core of UPDF values.

This adds to the list of UPDF and security forces who have been convicted for killing civilians during implementations of the Covid-19 guidelines

Rights bodies have recently condemned some of these acts calling for Justice for all people who have been killed and brutalized by security forces