Bombo shooting

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = Bombo shooting

| partof =

| image =

{{Location map|Uganda

|label = Bombo

|width = 250px

|lat_deg = 0.5830

|lon_deg = 32.5316

}}

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| map =

| map_size =

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| location = Bombo, Uganda

| target =

| coordinates =

| date = 9 March 2013

| time = 12:12 a.m.

| timezone =

| type = Mass murder

| fatalities = 10

| injuries = 3

| perp = Patrick Okot Odoch

| weapons = AK-47

| motive =

}}

The Bombo shooting was a mass murder that occurred in Bombo, Uganda on 9 March 2013. The perpetrator, 30-year-old Patrick Okot Odoch, a private in the Uganda People's Defence Force, shot and killed nine people in a bar and, while fleeing, a tenth victim.{{cite news |last1=Bakalu |first1=Bernard |title=Bombo killer soldier gets 90 years |url=https://www.observer.ug/component/content/article?id=25685:bombo-killer-soldier-gets-90-years |access-date=October 12, 2023 |publisher=The Observer |date=June 4, 2013}} Odoch fled and was arrested ten days later, and was charged with murder and attempted murder.[http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640840-soldier-arrested-over-bombo-massacre.html Soldier arrested over Bombo massacre], New Vision (March 20, 2013) On 4 June, Odoch was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 90 years imprisonment.[http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/643564-bombo-killer-soldier-gets-90-year-jail-sentence.html Bombo killer soldier gets 90-year jail sentence], New Vision (June 4, 2013)

Background

On 5 March 2013, a combined group of army deserters and assorted armed criminals attacked the Mbuya barracks belonging to the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) to steal the weapons located there.

Patrick Okot Odoch, a private in the UPDF who had a history of poor behavior and previously had been arrested for consuming bhang, was attached to the nearby Bombo barracks.[http://www.redpepper.co.ug/kulayigye-says-bombo-shooting-not-related-to-mbuya-attack/ Kulayigye Says Bombo Shooting Not Related To Mbuya Attack], Red Pepper (March 9, 2013) Inspired by the chaos at the Mbuya barracks, on the following night of 6 March, Odoch had wanted to rape Grace Chandiru, the 14-year-old daughter of his commander, Sergeant Onesmus Odule. Odoch saw Grace at the Yumbe Boys' Bar in Pakele, a bar frequented by local military personnel and their families, and attempted to rape her.[http://direct.ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=50862 Residents Welcome Arrest of Killer Soldier], ugandaradionetwork.com (March 20, 2013) Odoch fled when Grace raised alarm, prompting her father Sergeant Odule to report the incident to police on the next day, 7 March, for which Odoch promised revenge.

Odoch entered the bar, locked the doors, before opening them again and leaving, probably planning his shooting.[http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24179:bombo-picks-the-pieces-after-deadly-gun-attack&catid=34:news&Itemid=114 Bombo picks the pieces after deadly gun attack], The Observer (March 13, 2013) Odoch entered the bar again the next day at 9{{nbsp}}p.m. while the Odules were present, this time with a colleague, however the owner told him to drink somewhere else, referring him to the incident that occurred on 7 March.[http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640519-bombo-killer-soldier-sought-revenge.html Bombo killer soldier sought 'revenge'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515090111/http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640519-bombo-killer-soldier-sought-revenge.html |date=May 15, 2013 }}, New Vision (March 11, 2013)

Shooting

During the night of 8 March, while Odoch was on duty as part of the 23rd Air Defence Regiment, he deserted his post armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition.[http://www.chimpreports.com/index.php/news/8663-nine-killed-in-shooting-at-bombo-town.html Army Speaks Out On Bombo Shootings] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312012359/http://www.chimpreports.com/index.php/news/8663-nine-killed-in-shooting-at-bombo-town.html|date=March 12, 2013}}, chimpreports.com (March 9, 2013) Upon entering the bar on 9 March at 12:12{{nbsp}}am, Odoch opened fire on the people present, killing Sergeant Odule, his wife Florence, the owner of the bar Amina Aseru, as well as four other soldiers and two civilians, while two people were wounded. Odoch then left and went towards Gogonya, about a mile (1.5 km) from the bar, where he killed another person. Before finally fleeing he also robbed Halima Lukiya, stealing her hand bag, a mobile phone, and USh {{shilingi|2,000}} in cash.[http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24139&Itemid=116 Mbuya attackers linked to rebels], The Observer (March 11, 2013)[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-shooting--UPDF-soldier-remanded-over-murder/-/688334/1732552/-/vojfj9/-/index.html Bombo shooting: UPDF soldier remanded over murder] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328025838/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-shooting--UPDF-soldier-remanded-over-murder/-/688334/1732552/-/vojfj9/-/index.html |date=2013-03-28 }}, Daily Monitor (March 27, 2013)

Nine of his victims died on the spot, while David Komakech died one hour later from excessive loss of blood.[http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=50583 Suspected UPDF Officer Shoots 10 People Dead in Bombo], ugandaradionetwork.com (March 9, 2013) There were 23 spent rounds recovered by police from the crime scene.[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gun-used-in-Bombo-killing-recovered/-/688334/1722028/-/m03ci7z/-/index.html Gun used in Bombo killing recovered] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317214922/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Gun-used-in-Bombo-killing-recovered/-/688334/1722028/-/m03ci7z/-/index.html |date=2013-03-17 }}, Daily Monitor (March 17, 2013)

=Victims=

style="background-color: transparent; width: 600px"

| width="300px" align="left" valign="top" |

Sgt. Onesmus Odule
Florence Akullu, wife of Onesmus Odule
Sarah Akole
Amina Aseru, the bar owner
Pte. Teddy Namatovu

| width="300px" align="left" valign="top" |

Sgt. Joel Obote
Wilber Odiba
Cpl. Isaac Osere
David Komakech
Warrant Officer Francis Musana

Wounded were Joyce Asiyo, 44, and Ismail Akbar, 14, son of Amina Aseru.[http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=50620 Bombo Shooting Survivors Out Of Danger], ugandaradionetwork.com (March 12, 2013) Reportedly Sgt. Francis Ogugu was also injured.[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-sends-UPDF-soldier-on-remand-over-Bombo-shooting/-/688334/1733334/-/xcie1oz/-/index.html Court sends UPDF soldier on remand over Bombo shooting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329151526/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Court-sends-UPDF-soldier-on-remand-over-Bombo-shooting/-/688334/1733334/-/xcie1oz/-/index.html |date=2013-03-29 }}, Daily Monitor (March 29, 2013)

After the shooting the army offered every family of the victims {{shilingi|2,150,000}} in condolence and for burial arrangements, as well as coffins and transportation of the dead to their ancestral homes.

Arrest and conviction

Following the shooting, security measures were tightened, and all army deserters in the area were ordered to leave, or they would risk arrest. Also a night curfew was imposed, forcing all businesses to close at 10{{nbsp}}pm, and limiting movement from 11{{nbsp}}pm onward.[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-barracks-issues-tight-security-guidelines/-/688334/1716560/-/hv3s84/-/index.html Bombo barracks issues tight security guidelines], Daily Monitor (March 11, 2013)[http://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/story.php?s=50595 Bombo Shootings: Army Imposes Night Curfew], ugandaradionetwork.com (March 11)

Joint forces of the police and the army searched for Odoch, and laid traps to capture him. The search operations resulted in the finding of Odoch's uniform on 10 March, and on 14 March the rifle used in the shooting, which was recovered near a factory in Nakatonya Village in Nyimbwa Sub-county and was still loaded with three rounds. When Odoch called his colleagues to ask for financial help, investigators managed to track his mobile phone. He was arrested between 18 and 19 March at Abere Trading Centre in Ngai Sub-county in Oyam District, brought to the army barracks in Lira and charged with murder, attempted murder, misuse of a firearm, aggravated robbery, and failing to protect war materials, before being transferred back to Bombo, where he was held to be court-martialed in a public trial.[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-shootings--suspected-killer-arrested-in-Oyam/-/688334/1724900/-/f59kwv/-/index.html Bombo shootings: Suspected killer arrested in Oyam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031224625/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-shootings--suspected-killer-arrested-in-Oyam/-/688334/1724900/-/f59kwv/-/index.html |date=2015-10-31 }}, Daily Monitor (March 19, 2013)[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/ANDREW-BAGALA---HUDSON-APUNYO/-/688334/1726082/-/drvnxv/-/index.html Army set to hold public trial for Bombo suspect], Daily Monitor (March 21, 2013)

After denying all charges raised against him, Odoch was put in remand at Makindye Military Prison until 17 April. Preliminary hearings for the case began on 22 April at Bombo Town Health Centre.[https://archive.today/20130701152112/http://www.simba.fm/2013/04/17/bombo-killer-soldier-to-face-public-trial/ Bombo killer soldier to face public Trial], Simba Radio (April 17, 2013)[https://archive.today/20130628212247/http://www.chimpreports.com/index.php/mobile/special-reports/crime-investigation/9546-bombo-shootings-suspect%E2%80%99s-trial-begins.html Bombo Shootings Suspect’s Trial Begins], chimpreports.com (April 22, 2013) The maximum punishment Odoch is facing for the crime is a death sentence.[https://archive.today/20130706195018/http://www.nbs.ug/details.php?option=acat&id=1&cid=&a=660%23.UXVY80oQZkh Court: UPDF A Peoples's Army, Takes Justice To People], nbs.ug (April 18, 2013)

On june 4th, 2013, he was sentenced to a total of 90 years in prison; 65 years for the murders, 15 concurrent years for the attempted murders, 25 years for failure to protect the gun and 20 concurrent years for robbing two thousand shillings.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-22 |title=Bombo killer soldier gets 90-year jail sentence |url=https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/bombo-killer-soldier-gets-90-year-jail-sentence-1544116 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Monitor |language=en}}{{Cite web |title= Bombo Shooting Soldier Gets 90 Years|url=https://ugandaradionetwork.net/story/bombo-shooting-soldier-gets-90-years}}

References

External links

[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-killings--Four-testify-against-soldier/-/688334/1755614/-/mccnlf/-/index.html Bombo killings: Four testify against soldier], Daily Monitor (April 23, 2013)
[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-shooting--Army-court-denies-soldier-bail/-/688334/1756562/-/wkoajhz/-/index.html Bombo shooting: Army court denies soldier bail], Daily Monitor (April 24, 2013)
[http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-killings--Court-adjourns-public-hearing/-/688334/1758590/-/3wtodfz/-/index.html Bombo killings: Court adjourns public hearing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427035148/http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bombo-killings--Court-adjourns-public-hearing/-/688334/1758590/-/3wtodfz/-/index.html |date=2013-04-27 }}, Daily Monitor (April 26, 2013)
[http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24945:-bombo-killer-faces-12-witnesses&catid=34:news&Itemid=114 Bombo killer faces 12 witnesses], The Observer (April 26, 2013)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130502045536/http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=641929&CatID=1 UPDF soldier on trial for killing 10 people], New Vision (April 22, 2013)
[https://archive.today/20130706184322/http://www.nbs.ug/details.php?option=acat&id=1&cid=&a=680%23.UXwMnEoQZkg Angry Mob Crave For Bombo Murderer's Flesh], NBS (April 22, 2013)
[https://archive.today/20130706183841/http://www.nbs.ug/details.php?option=acat&id=1&cid=&a=683%23.UXwMmUoQZkg Bombo Court: More Witnesses Pin Soldier], NBS (April 23, 2013)
[https://archive.today/20130706184356/http://www.nbs.ug/details.php?option=acat&id=&cid=1&a=681%23.UXwNPUoQZkg Bomb Court Martial: More witnesses pin Private Okot Odoch], NBS (April 23, 2013)
[https://archive.today/20130706183522/http://www.nbs.ug/details.php?option=acat&id=1&cid=&a=690%23.UXwNOEoQZkg Witness: I Saw PTE. Odoch Shoot My Friend Dead], NBS (April 23, 2013)
[http://kfm.co.ug/news/bombo-murder-suspect-in-court-today.html Bombo murder suspect in court today], KFM (April 22, 2013)
[http://kfm.co.ug/news/trial-of-bombo-shooting-suspect-kicks-off.html Trial of Bombo shooting suspect kicks off], KFM (April 22, 2013)
[http://kfm.co.ug/news/updf-soldier-denied-bail-murder-trial-continues.html UPDF soldier denied bail, trial continues tomorrow], KFM (April 22, 2013)