Lira businessman enters church with loaded pistol, lands in trouble

Peter Odyek, a businessman in Lira district is in trouble for allegedly attempting to access Paimol Martyrs Shrine with a pistol. The general merchandise dealer was arrested at a check point on October 20th, 2017 while attempting to access the shrine during mass with a cocked pistol with 30 rounds of ammunition.

An estimated 20,000 pilgrims assembled at Wipolo Martyrs Shrine to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the blessed Daudi Okello and Jildo Irwa. The two were killed in 1918 by assailants believed to have been royal guards of Rwot Ogal, the Paimol sub chief.

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Aswa River Region Police spokesperson in Aswa River Region, says Odyek is being investigated by the Professional Standards Unit despite the fact that he is out on police bond.  He says it was wrong for Odyek to carry a cocked gun in the middle of thousands of pilgrims, saying it is easy for lethal accidents to occur in such circumstances.

Okema says investigations are ongoing to establish the conduct and Odyek's motive of carrying a loaded fire arm to such a crowded place. Odyek legally acquired the weapon for self-defense. The pistol is in the custody of Aswa River Region Police Headquarters in Gulu town after police established that the businessman has another licensed weapon at his home in Lira.

Several businessmen in Lira rushed to acquire private weapons following a wave of attacks, which claimed the lives of four business persons in the district.