A UPDF soldier attached to the Special Forces Command(SFC) has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of killing a civilian.
Private Julius Ecee attached to SFC’s Third Artillery Regiment in Waza, Kaweweeta was also sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery.
In an incident that happened on December, 26, 2023, Ecee shot and killed one person and injured two others before robbing shs65,000 from a hardware shop in Loro town in Oyam district.
He had earlier escaped from his duty station at the SFC school in Kaweweta in Nakaseke district with his personal rifle that he had wrapped in his mattress.
The soldier also had 120 rounds of live ammunition which he had hidden in his backpack.
Ecee was consequently arrested and arraigned before court.
The court sitting at Loro sub County Council Hall and chaired by Lt Col Moses Nabasa saw the prosecution led by Lt David Basiima present 16 witnesses including victims who pinned the SFC soldier.
In his judgement, Lt Col Moses Nabasa said the prosecution had discharged its burden and proved that Pte Julius Ecee was guilty of murdering a civilian, injuring two others and aggravated robbery of shs65,000 from a hardware.
“The accused person caused grievous harm to the victims. There was violence on Lily Obote when she was ordered by the accused to put the money in a black polythene bag that he came along with, in his pocket and immediately after robbery he caused harm on Pte Emmanuel Atepo who was shot in the collar bone and sustained injuries. He went ahead and attacked a milling factory where he shot and injured Ebori Innocent on the left upper thigh,” Lt Col Nabasa said in his judgement.
The court also found that Pte Ecee had participated in the offence of murder and aggravated robbery.
He was consequently convicted of all the charges.
In mitigation, the defence lawyer, Lt Herald Rugyendo asked court for a lenient sentence for Pte Ecee, noting that he still has a young family and that whereas the crimes he was convicted are grave, even when they were committed, there was no premeditation to kill the victim
“He is first time offender and was a disciplined soldier prior to this incident. The clan leader also testified that growing up to this stage the convict was one the clan had no problem with. I ask court that lenience be shown and a moderate sentence be handed down,” Lt Rugyendo asked court.
However, in response, the prosecutor, Lt David Basiima said whereas the convict was a first time offender, he had not shown any remorsefulness during the trial.
“The state has spent resources to try the accused, he is also a member of Uganda People’s Defence Forces attached to artillery regiment of Special Forces Command. He escaped from the barracks with a gun loaded with 120 ammunition with an intention of committing this act. He is a trained soldier who knew that escape from the barracks with a rifle is a serious offence,” Lt Basiima said.
He said that he committed the crime 10km away from his home, an act which has annoyed members of the public.
“He is also a presidential guard supposed to guard president of Uganda and if such an action fails to guard the civilians and their properties, how will he guard the president of Uganda? The trust has been breached. The offences are grave in nature but are on an increase and as UPDF we need to use our tactics to stop them.”
The prosecutor said the deceased left behind a young wife of 19 years and child of eight months who are now in total psychological torture and are now suffering.
Lt Basiima said Pte Ecee also shot and injured a fellow UPDF soldier who is now lame and can’t effectively serve the armed forces since his collar bone was broken.
The prosecutor said there is need for court to hand a serious sentence to deter any other would be offenders from carrying out similar crimes.
“He should be separated from the society in the barracks and his home. It is my humble request that you pass a punishment which will separate him from the army and the home since society is not happy with his actions.”
In his sentence, the court chairman, Lt Col Nabasa reasoned with the prosecution in a bid to issue a deterrent sentence to Pte Ecee.
Having deducted the three months and 19 days spent on remand, the court sentenced him to 40 years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery and life imprisonment for murder.
“This court therefore sentences you Pte Julius Ecee to life imprisonment at Luzira government prison for murder and 40 years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery and the sentences to run concurrently.”
The court chairman said Pte Ecee has a right to appeal against the sentence in 14 days.
