The UPDF has arrested two of its soldiers following the death of Benon Musimenta, who was shot on Wednesday morning on his way to the garden in Kanamba village, Karusandara sub-county in Kasese District.
Benon Musimenta, a father of eight, has been a lay reader of Kogore COU (Anglican) under the South Ruwenzori diocese and was to be ordained Reverend in November this year.
According to his wife Allen Musimenta who witnessed the murder, the UPDF soldiers were standing on both sides of the road and stopped them while riding a motorcycle and before they could talk to the officers, “I saw one of them crossing the road from one side before opening fire at at my husband. The motorcycle lost control before my husband and I fell down as he bled profusely. He was shot in the neck,” Ms Musimenta recounted.
The murder happened at Karungibati along Hima-Kasese road where soldiers have mounted a roadblock.
This website has learnt that the army leadership has swung in action and arrested two soldiers who include; Lt. Talent Akampurira the Patrol Squad Commander and Private Lokwapa Abraham.
Army spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire confirmed the arrests saying, “it was a very big mistake for the soldier to respond in such manner.”
He added: “the Military Court will sit and they will be charged as investigations continue. Once again UPDF extends its sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family.”
Ms Musimenta said she was stunned by the soldiers’ actions as they never defied the orders given to them.
Burial preparations for Benon Musimenta are underway in Kasese.
Musimenta’s death adds to the rising causality numbers of the virus-induced lockdown which involved President Museveni banning motorcycles from transporting passengers in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.