Agency
The High Court in Gulu has awarded Shillings 150 million in compensation to the family of the late Dr. Samuel Ochora, the former acting Amuru District Veterinary Officer, who was fatally shot by a soldier early last year.
Dr. Ochora was killed in the early hours of January 25, 2024, in Lakang Sub-county, Amuru District.
He was shot by Lance Corporal Francis Emiyu while accompanying security officers during an operation to evict 300 heads of cattle belonging to migrant herders.
Following the incident, the army issued a statement describing the shooting as accidental, attributing it to a misfire from a soldier’s weapon discharged inside the vehicle where Dr. Ochora was seated.
Unsatisfied with the army’s account, the deceased’s family—represented by Oyet Silver Okeny & Co Advocates—sued the government through the Attorney General.
In their petition, the family sought Shillings 354 million in compensation for loss of life, dependency, and general damages related to human rights violations, physical and mental anguish.
However, in a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice George Okello—then resident judge of Gulu High Court and now transferred to Patongo High Court—awarded Shs 150 million as fair and reasonable compensation.
