The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces’ (UPDF) 1st Division Court Martial has acquitted two Local Defence Unit (LDU) Personnel of the charge of assault causing bodily harm to Mityana District Chairperson, Mr. Joseph Luzige.
The court chaired by Col Sam Mugyenyi also reduced the charge placed against the third suspect to common assault after the complainant was found to have falsely accused the LDUs and initiated the scuffle.
The trio; Okello Isaac (LDU), Odeke Solomon (LDU) and Lance Corporal Angulia Simon Peter, were arrested and charged for assault and causing bodily harm following an incident of 7th July 2020 when they were filmed in a scuffle with the LC V Chairman as they enforced the COVID-19 directives.
The two LDUs were acquitted when court proved their innocence after cross examination of four witnesses, including the complainant. Investigations found out that there was no proof that Chairman Luzige’s eye was injured or that he had obtained grievous bodily harm as he alleged.
A witness, Dr. Lubogo who is a Senior Medical Officer in Mityana, also denied having treated the District Chairperson after the scuffle as had been recorded in the charge sheet and statements.
Eye witnesses also proved that it was Luzige who sparked off the brawl when he violently grab Lance Corporal Angulia Simon Peter by the collar of his military attire while on duty.
Nevertheless, considering the subsequent actions of Lance Corporal Angulia against the district leader and having failed to observe restraint as required by the Standing Operating Procedures, court did not set the accused free but rather reduced his charge from assault causing bodily harm to common assault.
He was convicted of common assault and sentenced to four months’ detention in a government prison.