UPDF soldier arrested over Apac shooting that left one dead

Pte Jacob Amali is accused of killing one person during a bar fight.

Police in Apac District have arrested a UPDF soldier for allegedly shooting and killing a 25-year-old man during a confrontation at a local bar.

The incident occurred at Acan pe-Nino Bar in Kidilani Trading Centre, Chegere Sub-County when the the victim, Haggai Haggai, a resident of Atek Village, Adeni Parish, picked a fight with the suspect, Pte Jacob Amali, a soldier attached to the 103 Infantry Battalion over a woman identified as Winnie Winnie.

Police said preliminary findings indicate that the altercation began as a verbal disagreement between the two men, which escalated into a physical fight.

After leaving the bar, the suspect allegedly returned at around 4:00 a.m., armed with a gun and and shot the deceased.

The North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, confirmed the incident, saying police were informed, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

"The suspect, who escaped from his UPDF detachment in Lacekocot, Pader District, to visit his home in Kwoyo ‘A’ Village, was arrested and is currently detained at Apac CPS," says the Police Spokesperson, Okema.

Capt Edrin Mawanda, the fifth division public information officer, said the force is jointly investigating the shooting incident that led to the death of Okullo.

Capt Mawanda said the suspect, Pte Amali, had earlier requested permission from his commander to visit the town for mobile money services, leaving his firearm behind.

"Following further interrogation, items including an AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine, hidden in a swamp about half a kilometre from the crime scene, a rusty SMG gun and a stick grenade recovered from the civilian residence of Francis Omuge," says Capt Mawanda.

At least three suspects, including Ibende, Olira, and Denis Oyom Denis (alias Ebende), have been arrested and are currently detained at Apac Central Police Station to aid investigations.