UPDF officer arrested for shooting People Power mobiliser
Mr Moses Okot Junior, a Gulu-based lawyer and mobiliser of People Power, a political pressure group led by Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi was shot on May 22, 2019. COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Chaos ensued after Amolatar RDC Lillian Eyal ordered for the victim's arrest.
Police in North Kyoga region have confirmed the arrest of a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier who allegedly shot at a People Power mobiliser in Amolatar District.
The victim, Moses Okot Junior, a Gulu-based lawyer had also shown interest in contesting for Kyoga constituency Member of Parliament seat in the 2021 general elections. He is also known for promoting People Power pressure group in Amolatar District.
The North Kyoga regional police spokesperson, Mr David Ongom confirmed said the soldier attached to Lira barracks is in police custody as investigations into the shooting continue.
“The suspect Pt RA 241999, Moses Tumukunde, a resident of Amolatar town council and a bodyguard of Amolatar RDC [Ms Lillian Eyal] is now in police custody at Amolatar central police station under file vide CRB243/2019,” he said.
Police say the lawyer was shot at around 2pm on Wednesday near a market in Amolatar town council where he was allegedly mobilising people for his panned People Power meeting.
“When the RDC ordered for his (Okot’s) arrest, he tried to run away. This prompted the guard to shoot. He was injured on the leg. The victim is believed to have been taken to yet to be identified clinic in Lira town,” Mr Ongom said on Thursday.
Mr Ongom further noted that an SMG riffle with four full magazines and another with 28 rounds of ammunition have been recovered as investigations continue.
