By Patrick Jaramogi
ALEBTONG, Uganda: On December 9th 2018, a sad incident happened in Alebtong, a remote district located in Northern Uganda. As the family of Emmy Okello had their supper around 8pm, a gunman stormed the house, had a brief exchange with Okello and his wife before opening fire. When he was done, Okello, aged 40, his wife, Betty Arao aged 34 and carrying a six month old pregnancy as well as three year old son Elvis Okello, lay dead in a pull of blood. The trauma in Okut village, Iyama Parish in Aloi Sub County left many residents shocked the entire Christmas season. Clad in a military uniform, the gunman who was later arrested three days after the heinous act was identified as Pte Isaac Newton Okello aged 43 years. Spyuganda has established that Okello who was charged in the court martial on Monday is a former Amuka Militia Boy.
Unconfirmed reports that we established on ground in Iyama Parish was that the errant UPDF personnel, Okello had just returned from a foreign mission in Somalia. It’s yet to be confirmed allegations, that Okello killed due to ‘love’ gone bad. Reports we are yet to establish was that before he went for foreign mission in Somalia, Okello and Betty were in ‘love’. Then there are other issues related to land wrangles. All these allegations couldn’t independently be verified. What we can report however is that Pte Isaac Newton Okello attached to the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces 405 Brigade in Moroto has appeared before the UPDF General Court Martial and charged four counts of murder, VIDE CRB397/2018 of Alebtong Central Police Station. Peter Nkulegi, the North Kyoga Region Police Commander, said Okello was picked up following a joint security operation conducted by the army and police.
Pte Isaac Newton Okello, is also accused of preventing a child from being born by killing its mother who was six months pregnant. Pte Okello is said to have used a submachine gun registration number UG UPDF56031694. The UPDF general court martial chaired by Col J.B Katongole in Alebtong District on Monday heard that Pte Okello allegedly committed the offence contrary to section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120. Killing unborn child is contrary to section 212 of the Penal Code Act. Prosecution led by Lt Alex Rasto Mukhwana told court that on the fateful day at about 7.30pm, Pt Okello while at Okut village, Alebtong parish, Aloi Sub-county, Alebtong District with malice, aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of the four family members. Lt. Mukhwana further said Pt Okello opened fire on the victims while they were having supper at their home in Okut village, Alebtong District. Mr. Moses Ogwang, while appearing as the first witness before the court martial said the community is waiting to see a fair hearing and justice.
