UPDF soldier charged over shooting dead civilian, injuring colleague

Hamis Walimbwa a, 38-year-old Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier accused of shooting dead a civilian and injuring a colleague, has been arraigned before the field court martial in Kisoro.

Walimbwa was charged with two counts of murder and attempted murder. He allegedly killed 18-year-old Zepherine Nizeyimana at an entertainment centre in Nyarubande village, Kisoro district in June last year. The two reportedly had a disagreement over an unknown reason.

Walimbwa is attached to Kibaya army detachment located at the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border of Nyarubuye sub-county also injured his colleague Pte William Achia who was trying to intervene and calm him down during the scuffle.

He was arrested after the incident and taken to the UPDF 2nd Division headquarters in Mbarara for detention Thursday when he appeared before a court martial held at Gatete primary school playground in Rukundo town council.

Appearing before the court presided over by Col Rogers Kitwala, the court martial chairman for UPDF 2nd division, Walimbwa was charged with murder and attempted murder.