The Uganda People’s Defence Forces -UPDF has said soldiers accused of staging an illegal roadblock at Kakoola village, were under the influence of alcohol.
Col Deo Akiiki, the Deputy UPDF Spokesperson, said their own investigations into the incident have ruled out any claims of robbery. According to Col Akiiki, the fracas happened because Pte Leti and Pte Oleti were drunk and whatever they did was under the influence of alcohol.
Police maintain that the soldiers staged a roadblock at Kakoola village, Makindye Ssabagabo, Wakiso district, and collected money from drivers.
According to Akiiki, the soldiers developed a quarrel with the locals and since the drinking joint was near the road, vehicles were blocked. Police, according to the Army, were called to contain the situation but misinterpreted it as a robbery roadblock.
Although Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Police Spokesperson, said eight soldiers commanded by Sgt Tonny Awiyo, raided Lumuli Police Station to rescue Pte Leti and Pte Oleti, the Army has only arrested five soldiers. Police expect that the number of soldiers to be charged should be 10. This is because two soldiers allegedly mounted a robbery roadblock and after their arrest, they were rescued by eight bringing the number of culprits to 10.
But Col Akiiki explained that only five soldiers have been arrested and will be arraigned before the military court. He added that what police interprets as a rescue mission was because Sgt Awiyo was misinformed by Pte Leti and Pte Oleti who claimed that they had been confronted by civilians.
Col Akiiki said Sgt Awiyo as a commander of the unit guarding the home of a senior citizen who has since been established to be a retired Deputy Chief Justice, came to the rescue of his officers.
Akiiki added that Sgt Awiyo’s fault was to take soldiers from Lumuli Police Station, which created the impression that they were forcefully rescued.
UPDF has decided that Sgt Awiyo be charged in the military court because he failed to supervise his personnel to the extent of getting drunk and causing a fracas. Other soldiers to face military court are Corporal Niclous Kasaija and Pte Javira Kazibwe.
Pte Leti and Pte Oleti were arrested by the 999 Police Patrol team that was called by the Officer-in-charge of Lumuli Police Station Betty Kazungu. The police officers were five on a Patrol vehicle commanded by Innocent Watum. But as soon as they left Lumuli police station, soldiers rescued Pte Leti and Pte Oleti.