By Joshua Imalingat
The UPDF 3rd division court martial sitting in Nakapelemoru sub county, Kotido district has sentenced private Peter Lokidi to 65 years in jail for killing three people and injuring two others.
Private Lokidi was charged with three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Prosecution alleges that on the 22nd of September 2023 at around 8:00am while at Nakapelimru police station private Lokidi with malice aforethought caused the death of Peter Lojale, Angol Lochoriathe and Locheng Lopiringole using a police gun.
He also attempted to kill Longole Apakuruk and Daniel Akure.
In their submission prosecution asked court to give private Lokidi a maximum sentence of death to put him off the society and serve as a relief for the family and the victims who incurred the injuries.
Prosecution added that this will also serve as an example to the rest and UPDF militants from doing the same. According to the prosecution the acts of private Lokidi tarnished the image of the UPDF.
The defense team however, prayed for a lenient sentence from court saying Lokidi was a first-time offender with no criminal record adding that the accused had a family to feed and also had a health problem.
However, in his ruling Col. Francis Kateraho the chairman 3rd division court martial said he had considered the arguments of both prosecution and the defense team and sentenced Private Lokidi to 65 years in jail for murder and 5 years imprisonment for attempted murder saying all the sentences will run concurrently
He however, informed the convict that he has a right to appeal the sentence within 14 days.
