Police, Army Clash Over Shooting Lira Businessman

The army has called for thorough investigations into the shooting of a businessman in Lira municipality on Saturday.

Denis Ocepa was shot dead by security personnel on patrol near shell Kwania along Kwania road in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

He was reportedly on his way home from a disco at Lira hotel. Immediately after Ocepa was gunned down, police apologized to the people of Lango and described the incident as a mishap.

Manshur Suwedi, the Central North Police spokesperson claimed that Ocepa was shot dead by Fred Emirembe, a UPDF soldier.

Emirembe was part of the security personnel on the patrol. They were arrested shortly after the incident on the orders of Christopher Obache, the commandant of a special squad overseeing security operations in Lira town.

However, the 5th division army leadership has trashed the claim saying police only wants to cover up its tainted image.

Captain Telesphor Tururyamanya, the 5th Division army spokesperson says Emirembe who is being blamed for the incident didn’t fire a single bullet from his gun.

According to Tururyamanya, Emirembe returned to the barracks with all the bullets he signed for before living the barracks for patrol. He says the army wants a thorough investigation carried out to establish who shot the businessman.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that police has also thwarted all attempts by the army to inspect the guns used by the cops on the fateful night.

However, Police insist that Emirembe fired the shot that killed the businessman. Emirembe appeared on Tuesday before Mohamed Kasaija, the Lira chief magistrate on charges of murder and was remanded to Prison until 4th march when the case will come up for mention.

Two weeks ago, police suspended any movements in Lira town beyond 11pm to allow security eliminate criminals who were targeting residents and business people.