A Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier has been sentenced to 35-years in prison for killing a civilian in Hoima district.
Private Solomon Baker Bakobe, of the 11th Battalion, was convicted by the first division infantry court-martial presided over by Col. Sam Mugyenyi during a session held at St Paul Catholic Church Premises in Mparo North cell Eastern Division of Hoima city today.
Prosecution led by Captain Paul Rwabwogo told the court that the UPDF soldier allegedly shot and killed Davis Bakanoba 25, a resident of Mparo Cell, moments after he was attacked by a group of six unknown people who went away with his mobile phone. The incident took place on December 4, 2020.
But Bakobe who had been deployed to guard road construction equipment belonging to China Railway Number Seven group in the same village rushed to his duty station and picked a gun and launched a pursuit for his attackers. In the process, he fired several bullets in the air one of which hit Bakanoba in the head killed him instantly.
Col Mugenyi, acting on the evidence produced by the prosecution, convicted Bakobe to 35-years in jail to serve as an example to other officers in uniform. He said that the UPDF officer will serve his 35-year jail term handed over to him at Hoima Government Prison, but has an opportunity to appeal within the next 14 days.
