Local Defence Unit officers have lately received massive criticism from the public as they have been pinned to a series of murders across the country.
With Ugandans still asking for justice for the Makerere University student who was allegedly beaten up by LDU officers, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) fifth Division Court martial has today sentenced LDU personnel, Pt Jolly Thomas Opoka for killing 65-year-old Francis Ogwang Munu in Oyam District.
Opoka pleaded guilty of Killing Ogwang ,a resident of Amati Village, Kamdini Sub-county on June 27, 2020.
“I found him (Ogwang) lying under a table. I tried to wake him up by kicking and using my gun. He stood up and cried: ‘my son, do not kill me, I’m still alive,” Opoka said.
Opoka appeared before court together with his co-accused; Pt Felix Okumu (LDU personnel) and their operations commander, Lance Corporal Geoffrey Ogwang (UPDF) over the same case.
The Court chair Col Paul Omara then ruled that the accused persons were guilty as charged.
“Pt Thomas Opoka has been found guilty as the key person who caused Ogwang’s death, and I hereby sentence him to life imprisonment. Pt Felix Okumu will serve 40 years and Lance Corporal Geoffrey Ogwang will serve 20 years in jail,” he ruled.