UGANDA: COURT MARTIAL SENTENCES THREE CIVILIANS TO DEATH

three civilians including a woman were found guilty of murder and sentenced to death by firing squad in Uganda. The three were condemned by the UPDF 3rd Division Court Martial sitting in Bukedea District. It was chaired by Col. John Baptist Mulindwa. They were part of the group netted in "Operation Restore Hope", aimed at ridding the Teso sub-region of illegal fire arms. The convicts are Charles Illumati, 36, Tom Opusi, 26 and Grace Ichakuna, all residents of Akutot village in Madera sub-county. They were found guilty of murdering David Steven Odekere. The court found out that the duo was hired by Ms Ichakuna to kill the deceased over a land dispute. Prosecution heard that the deceased was attacked and shot dead on July 4, 2008, at his home. The trio was jointly charged with a UPDF deserter Michael Akol Mukalu whose gun was used to shoot the late Odekere. However, Mr Akol was acquitted of the murder charges and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for unlawful possession of a gun. Bukedea District Criminal Investigation chief, Nicodemus Ekiyati, said the plan to kill Odekere was hatched by Ilumati and Ichakuna who had a land dispute with the deceased. The court heard that Mr Akol was promised Shs 300,000 and two head of cattle for the service of his gun.