Uganda: Soldier jailed 30 years for murder

KISORO - A UPDF soldier has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his lover and her bar maid.

Sgt Robert Okiror, 39, was convicted by the court martial on Friday after a three-day hearing session presided over by Col Geoffrey Mujuni at the Mayor’s Gardens in Kisoro Town.

Hundreds of Kisoro residents poured to the court site to witness the trial.

His defence

Okiror told the court during the trial that his deceased lover first assaulted him with a stick after asking her for his ATM card.

He said she also threatened to kill him, reminding him of a recent incident where he had been waylaid at night and severely beaten by unknown people.

“I plead for mercy and pardon,” Sgt Okiror told the court.

Passing the sentence, Col Mujuni said it was unlawful for a UPDF soldier to shoot civilians whom he is supposed to protect.

“The accused is hereby found guilty of this offence and he is hereby sentenced to 30 years in prison for the two counts of murder and the sentences shall run concurrently,” Col Mujuni ruled. The convict was handcuffed and whisked away.

Kisoro District Chairperson Milton Bazanye said the 30-year sentence was not sufficient for the gravity of the crime the soldier committed.

“This soldier deserved death or life imprisonment because he planned for the murder of the two people. Going to his barracks, picking a gun and shooting at people sleeping in their bed shows that he had planned the killing. Only 30 years in prison is not commensurate with the act committed,” Mr Bazanye said.

However, several residents sympathised with Okiror and said he deserved a light sentenced.

“I sympathise with the accused soldier because the deceased woman was used to cheating people that regularly visited her bar on Kisoro hill village, South Ward in Kisoro Town Council. The deceased was also involved in prostitution and never respected the accused soldier as her lover,” said Ms Shilah Wimana, one of the residents in Kisoro Town.

SUNDAY MONITOR UGANDA