By KT Reporter
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 earlier 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 Civil Application Miscellaneous No. 35 of 2024 filed at Gulu High Court, they questioned the circumstances surrounding Dr. Ochora’s death.
An autopsy conducted by Dr. JJ Olwedo from the Fourth Infantry Division Morgue found that Dr. Ochora died from hemorrhagic shock caused by internal bleeding from a gunshot wound to the left side of his back, about 10cm below the scapula and 4cm from the midline. However, the family contested the report and submitted findings by private pathologist Dr. Sylvester Onzivua, who cast doubt on the autopsy’s conclusion.
Dr. Onzivua argued that it was implausible for the bullet to have exited through the same entry point and suggested that Dr. Ochora may have been stabbed instead. He recommended a fresh inquest and the exhumation of the body for a second autopsy. 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. They also asked the court to hold the soldier responsible for the death and to award an additional Shs 20 million in punitive damages.
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. “The deceased was at his prime; he was the district veterinary officer in the local government. He had many years ahead, but his life was cut short by the acts of the responding officers,” Justice Okello ruled.
“The applicant said he collapsed and fainted upon hearing the sad news. This attracts compensation… and considering all the circumstances, I find Shillings 150 million to be fair and reasonable.” Justice Okello declined to award interest on the compensation, citing the applicant had not prayed for it. He also dismissed the request to challenge the original autopsy, arguing that the court could not rely solely on Dr. Onzivua’s opinion without a fresh postmortem.
He further rejected the family’s claims for general damages for human rights violations and mental anguish, noting the submissions were “strange and legally unfounded.” The judge also dismissed the applicant’s claims for dependency, citing lack of proof that the petitioner was financially supported by the deceased.
Dr. Ochora’s father, Benson Okwamoi, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, particularly the failure by police to submit their investigation report, which he believes could have altered the judgment.
Meanwhile, the family’s lawyer, Silver Oyet Okeny, welcomed the ruling, noting it was delivered in record time under the Human Rights Enforcement Act.
The family has indicated they will not appeal the ruling-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
