KAMPALA –The Uganda People’s Defence Forces -UPDF claims that soldiers, accused of staging an illegal roadblock at Kakoola village, last week were under the influence of alcohol.
Col Deo Akiiki -the UPDF deputy Spokesperson said investigations into the incident had ruled out any claims of robbery. The army mouthpiece doesn’t, however state circumstances, under which colleagues of the same soldiers, who had stated an illegal road check point – leading to the area residents to notify authorities, invaded a police station and carried out a successful rescue mission.
Col Akiiki asserts that the fracas happened because Pte Job Leti and Pte Were Oleti were drunk – and their actions were under the influence of alcohol.
However, police have maintained that the soldiers staged a roadblock at Kakoola village, Makindye Ssabagabo, Wakiso district, and collected money from road users.
Col Akiiki narrated that the said soldiers had developed a quarrel with the locals and since the drinking joint was near the road, vehicles were blocked. He added that the police were invited to contain the situation but misinterpreted it as a robbery roadblock.
Although Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Police Spokesperson, said eight soldiers commanded by Sgt Tonny Awiyo, raided Lumuli Police Station to rescue Pte Leti and Pte Oleti, the army arrested only five soldiers.
Police insists that the number of soldiers to be charged should be ten. This is because two soldiers allegedly mounted a robbery roadblock and after their arrest, they were rescued by eight bringing the number of culprits to ten.
But Col Akiiki explained that only five soldiers have been arrested and will be arraigned before the military court. He added that what police interprets as a rescue mission was because Sgt Awiyo was misinformed by Pte Leti and Pte Oleti who claimed that they had been confronted by civilians.
Col Akiiki said Sgt Awiyo as a commander of the unit guarding the home of a senior citizen who has since been established to be a retired Deputy Chief Justice – Stephen Kavuma; came to the rescue of his officers.
Akiiki added that Sgt Awiyo’s fault was to take soldiers from Lumuli Police Station, which created the impression that they were forcefully rescued.
UPDF has decided that Sgt Awiyo be charged in the military court because he failed to supervise his personnel to the extent of getting drunk and causing a fracas. Other soldiers to face military court are Corporal Niclous Kasaija and Pte Javira Kazibwe.
The 999 Police Patrol team arrested Pte Leti and Pte Oleti after the O/C Lumuli Police Station, Betty Kazungu had called for reinforcement. The police officers, numbering five on a Patrol vehicl under the command of Innocent Watum responded but as soon after their departure from the station – soldiers turned up to rescue their colleagues.
Additional reporting by URN
