The Assistant Principle Commissioner in the Ministry of East African Affairs, James Ocen Okuja has been charged with two counts related to torture.
Mr. Ocen Okuja who is also the owner of Dokolo Hotel, on Labor Day allegedly arrested and held UPDF’s Pte. Paul Ocen RA/217604 together with the soldier’s brother for “making noise” at his facility.
According to local authorities, Mr. Ocen Okuja severely beat the soldier and the brother with the help of his workers and later burned their backs with a charcoal stove and fire heated metals.
On Tuesday the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lira presided over by Alex Mushabe charged Ocen Okuja with two counts related to torture. The suspect was however immediately given a non-cash bail of Shs 5million. The judge also ordered him to deposit his passport within 24 hours.
Ocen Ojuka was arrested by police one week after the incident. He had reportedly compromised police in Dokolo prompting the 5th Division Commander Michael Kabango to visit the area.
Police wanted to facilitate negotiations between the victim and the perpetrator but the army rejected the idea and insisted that law should take its course.
Ocen Ojuka according to sources in the army has been using his financial muscle to evade the law.
“We understand he is rich but he should not be using it to inflict pain on the poor and again deny them justice,” a source from the army said.
Pte. Ocen who attached to 63rd infantry battalion was given pass leave of 7 days from April 26th 2017 to May 3rd 2017 to attend to domestic issues.