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Uganda: Five to Spend Rest of Their Life in Prison for Murdering South Sudan Businessmen in Kampala Hotel


The High Court in Kampala has sentenced to life imprisonment, five men convicted of murdering two South Sudanese businessmen at Juba City hotel at Arua Park in Kampala and injuring another in 2018.

Justice Stephen Mubiru described the five as a risk to society who only need to be kept away in prison.

“I find the punishment of life imprisonment appropriate for A2, A3, A4, A6 and A8. You will spend the rest of your natural life in prison and cannot leave prison alive,” Justice Mubiru said.

The convicts who are to spend the rest of their life in prison include Nelson Oribitunga, and Jacob Chothembo, both former security guards working with Saracen Private Security Company; Innocent Gumisiriza, a driver; Daniel Namara and Abdul Karim Kabano, both businessmen.

In a 2018 incident at Arua Park, Ben Kiwanuka Street in Kampala, the convicts stole Shs1,865,000 and $3,400 (about Shs12m) and then used a pistol to kill Mohammed Abdallah and Ibrahim Bakhit, both South Sudan businessmen.

The also shot and injured Robert Owachigiu.

They were charged with two counts of murder, aggravated robbery and attempted murder.

Sentencing the five, Justice Stephen Mubiru said whereas death is the maximum sentence for the offence of murder, he is inclined to impose life sentence to them .

The judge said whereas he would have reduced the sentence, he was inclined to find life imprisonment as a befitting punishment.

“The punishment of life imprisonment is befitting since they pose a risk to society and there is no proof that there is a chance for rehabilitation.”