Former MP Odonga Otto Wanted For Robbery
Former MP Odonga Otto is being hunted by police after being linked to charges of aggravated robbery against businessmen and leading a group of vigilantes. In a statement released by police spokesperson Fred Enanga, it was revealed that Otto was captured on video committing the crimes against charcoal businessmen and has since gone on the run.
Enanga’s statement reads: “Hon. Odonga Otto and a group of vigilantes, who were armed with pangas and sticks, are wanted after they were captured on video viciously beating 3 victims, who had gone to buy charcoal, in one of the homesteads in Laorogali village, Atanga sub-county, in Pader district on April 30, 2023, at around 3:30 pm.”
The victims have been identified as Charles Ssemanda, Yusuf Wagwana, and Takafa Erisata, who had reportedly loaded 12 bags of charcoal into their Fuso truck with registration number UBA 600B. The group allegedly assaulted them using sticks and pangas and also robbed Shs 1,097,700/= (One million ninety-seven thousand, seven hundred shillings) in cash from Charles Ssemanda.
The attackers also vandalized the Fuso truck, stealing two motor vehicle batteries, a motor vehicle radio, a woofer, a motor vehicle key, and a tarpaulin. “The attackers further damaged the windscreen, the fuel tank, and tyres of the Fuso truck,” the statement added.
Enanga stated that when the group released the victims, they reported the matter at the Atanga police station, and a manhunt for Odonga Otto and his accomplices began. The same group had earlier attacked one Charles Olara Okello, after he was found buying firewood while in his motor vehicle registration number UAP 516D, along Lapul- Atanga road in Atanga sub-county. The attackers robbed their phones and other belongings. They reported the matter at the Pajule police station.
Enanga also noted that although Otto and his vigilantes claim to be enforcing a ban on charcoal trade in Acholi Sub-region, their level of physical interaction is reckless and dangerous, and could lead to hate crimes in society.
Police have urged anyone with information on Otto’s whereabouts to come forward and assist with their investigations.