A UPDF soldier in Fort-portal has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the theft of firearms. The suspect has been identified as Lanc Corporal Sylvester Kazooba, attached to Bihanga Army training school in Ibanda district. Joseph Bitali Ssentamu, the criminal investigations officer in Fort-Portal, says the soldier stormed the home of Kabahena Geoffrey, a security guard resident in Kijura parish, Kabarole district and stole a gun. The gun allegedly belonged to Natukunda Mesachie, a home guard who was reportedly in Fort-portal on the night of the attack. The soldier fled into the forest and efforts to track him down were initially quashed by his aggressive response to his trackers. He fired gunshots until he disoriented them, paving way for his eventual escape. He was on Monday found hiding in Nsosororo village and arrested. The gun was retrieved and handed over to Edison Businge, the Hakibaale sub-county LC3 chairperson. Businge says the soldier had used the gun to shoot at some family members who he accused of murdering his mother Pauline Kebirungi. Kebirungi was allegedly murdered recently by a group of people who accused her of witchcraft and cannibalism. Efforts by the soldier to avenge his mother's death fell flat after he was arrested and detained at Fort-Portal Central police station. Police say he will be taken to court shortly to answer charges of theft of a firearm.