A Uganda People’s Defense Forces [UPDF] soldier has shot dead his colleague after picking up quarrel while on a drinking spree in a bar in Lamwo district.
Private Joseph Musinguzi, attached to the fifth Division 509 battalion, 401 Brigade in Ngom Oromo army detach, reportedly shot dead Lance Corporal David Opira at about 7:30 Pm Wednesday evening.
Security officials reported that the two had been drinking Alcohol in Apuk trading center, Lukung Sub-county before a quarrel broke out between them.
The argument is said to have persisted as the two moved to Ngom Oromo army detach. Along the way, an agitated Musinguzi reportedly shot Lance Corporal Opira with his AK47 assault rifle. Opira is said to have died on spot.
Second Lieutenant Jimmy Ogwal, the 509 battalion Division Intelligence Officer [IO] confirmed the incident to Acholi Times in a telephone interview Thursday saying the act was regrettable.
“I have got reports of the shooting involving one of our soldiers, but the circumstance surrounding his motive is yet unclear although preliminary information we got indicates that the shooting happened after a quarrel,” Ogwal said.
He added that “we are now trying to launch investigations into the matter to ascertain the real motives of the gruesome killing of one of our soldiers,”
Maj Abel Ekelot, the Fifth Division Intelligence Officer however when contacted said the suspect was arrested on spot by fellow soldiers after the shooting.
He said Musinguzi was briefly detained at Ngom Oromo army detach before being transferred to Pajimo Barracks in Kitgum District.
Maj Ekelot added that the suspect will be arraigned before the court martial after investigations are done were charges of murder will be pressed against him.
The incidence comes on the heels of rampant shootings involving UPDF soldiers discharging bullets on their colleagues and unarmed civilians.
The UPDF Chief of Defense forces Gen Edward Katumba Wamala in July this year said the army was going to embark on investigating why its soldiers are engaged in rampant shooting adding that they will also
establish psychosocial trauma centers.
Recent cases of soldiers shooting
In July this year, two soldiers attached to the UPDF Armored Brigade Barracks at Kissajjagirwa in Masaka District were shot dead inside the military installation by Lance Corporal Joseph Aliyoni who was attached to the same barracks.
In June same year, Sgt Obua Isaac attached to Makindye military barracks shot dead seven people and injured one child inside the barracks before he was shot dead.
