Soldier detained in Kumi over murder of NRM official

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KUMI

The Police in Kumi have arrested a soldier over accusations of murdering district NRM party National Executive Committee workers league publicity secretary Julius Lebo.

Lebo, who was a primary school teacher in Kadesoko II Primary School in Pallisa district, was allegedly killed on his way home on Wednesday night.

His body was recovered about 100 metres away from his home in Oladot, Mukongoro sub-county in Kumi district.

Kyoga East Police region spokesperson Oscar Ageca said the Police are holding Daniel Olupot, a UPDF soldier who had been deployed in Somalia but is currently on leave.

Ageca said the Police sniffer dog led detectives to the home of Olupot but he was not found at home until hours later when Olupot handed himself over to the Police.

“I confirm the detention of private Daniel Olupot over allegations of murder. The sniffer dog led the Police to his home but he was not found. We have opened CRB number 104/2024,” Ageca said.

He noted that their preliminary investigations indicate that the murder is connected to a land dispute. The deceased is a cousin of the suspect.

As a result of the murder, Ageca said Olupot’s home was attacked during which property was destroyed with some huts set ablaze.

By press time, the body was still at Kumi Mortuary after the postmortem was performed according to a family member Tadeo Ojobit.

Murder victim strangled

“He was strangled and sustained back injuries. The assailants disguised their actions by applying rat poison inside his mouth,” Ojobit said.

He explained that Olupot has been away in Somalia but on his return after the court verdict in favour of the deceased, it is suspected that he was unhappy with the court's decision.

Kumi district NRM (National Resistance Movement) party chairperson Sam Opolot expressed shock over the way their colleague was murdered.

Lebo has been a hardworking man who rose from being the district workers publicity to secretary workers league at the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Kumi.

Opolot urged the Police to expedite the investigation so that the killers are brought to book.

During the last general election, Lebo had expressed interest to contest for the position of LC3 Mukongoro sub-county, but he was stopped since he had not retired from civil service.