Soldier Faces Division Court Martial for Killing Three People in Gulu

Corporal Geoffrey Okello, a Uganda People’s Defense Forces – UPDF soldier accused of shooting three people in Gulu is set to face trial at the 4th Division barracks in Gulu today.

Okello allegedly killed Beatrice Ajok, 52, and her two sons; Dan Joachim Binyang, 18, and Owen Norman, 20 and injured an 8-year-old girl during a scuffle on February 10, this year. The incident happened in Vanguard Sub Ward, Pece Division in Gulu Municipality.

Okello reportedly had a misunderstanding with Ajok’s family, which he accused of grazing goats on his land. Although the matter had been mediated and resolved under the guidance of Pece Division Chairman Kelly Komakech, the outcome of the process reportedly angered Okello, prompting him to take the law in his hands.

Okello was arrested the following day from his duty station at the Central Guard of UPDF 4th Division Barracks where he was deployed.

The UPDF 4th Division Spokesperson Maj. Caesar Olweny told URN that Okello will appear before the Division Court Martial today to answer to chargers of murder. Olweny said that the court session will be open to the public to enable them to follow the case closely until justice is dispensed.

Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema says that the police, backed by the army concluded investigations into the matter to facilitate the trial. He added that the suspect’s gun had been submitted to ballistic experts for analysis.

Okema urged citizens to give police ample time to investigate cases to a logical conclusion without interference.