A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier has shot himself dead after allegedly murdering his colleague’s wife in Acenglyet, APAC district.
Pt Samuel Ojara, 45, who is attached to National Agricultural Research Organisation ( NARO) army detach in Maruzi Ranch is reported to have killed himself on Monday night after shooting dead, Sharon Akello, a wife to a fellow UPDF soldier.
According to an eye witness, Ojara followed Akello to the bathroom when she had gone to shower at around 9pm and shot her dead. He then used the same gun to shoot himself.
Ms Milly Akena, the LC 1 Chairperson of Acenglyet village blamed the incident on irresponsible consumption of alcohol among some soldiers.
” There are 3 male soldiers at the army barracks and one woman, so that evening, this incident occurred when the other 2 men were not around. They had gone to the trading centre and the husband of this deceased woman was also drunk at the same trading centre . Ojara was alone at the barracks with this woman. So, he could have attempted to rape her under the influence of alcohol,” Ms Akena said.
Mr. Jimmy Patrick Okema, the outgoing North Kyoga regional Police spokesperson, confirmed the incident saying they have launched an investigation into the matter.
“We suspect the officer could have developed a mind to rape the woman but due to shame, he took that action of shooting himself,” he revealed.
The UPDF 5th Division spokesperson, Maj Flavia Terimulungi said the army has also launched an investigation into the matter to establish what exactly happened.
