During a court-martial proceeding at Muhoti Barracks, the Mountain Division headquarters in Fort Portal City, Corporal Peter Avugo Lomila received a life imprisonment sentence for committing three counts of murder on July 14, 2023, within the same jurisdiction.
The court-martial chairman, Lt. Col Benon Besigye, announced the verdict, stating that the accused, RA/198988, attempted to murder several fellow soldiers, including RA/253316 Oyali Richard, RA/185967 Staff Sergeant Ochen Albert Tony.
Additionally, he caused injuries to Lpcl Mutaka Livingston, Cpl Tumusiime Kato, RA/2468833, Pte Kushemerwa Maurice, AX04711 LDU Kansiime Monica, and civilian Ayufolisi Prisca.
Consequently, Corporal Lomila was sentenced to life imprisonment at Katojjo civilian prison, with the option to file an appeal within 14 days.
Lt. Col Besigye clarified that Cpl Lomila, a UPDF officer attached to the Air Defense Mountain Brigade in Fort Portal, shot and killed Pte Oyalu Richard and Staff Sergeant Ochen Albert Tony, while the others survived with injuries.
In the prosecution’s case led by Capt Ivan Nabireeba, it was revealed that the convict used a weapon to shoot and kill fellow soldiers on the fateful day.
According to a postmortem report by Capt Dr. David Okello, both victims displayed internal and external gunshot wounds, resulting in significant bleeding and ultimately causing their deaths.
The court-martial was attended by senior and junior officers, including Artillery Commander Lt. Col. George Acaye, Political Commissar Mountain Division Maj. Benon Mutatina, MN Tumwesigye CO 33 Anti-Aircraft Regt, Civil-Military Cooperation Capt. Dominic Twinomujuni, Capt. IB Kisembo Administrator Officer 33 Anti-Aircraft Regt, and WO1 Yanguya Richard, Division Sergeant Major.