Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
The High Court in Kampala has handed down life imprisonment sentences to five individuals convicted of two counts of murder, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery. This tragic tale unfolded in August 2018 when Oribitunga Nelson and his cohorts hatched a sinister plan to rob Ibrahim Bahkit, the esteemed manager of Juba City Hotel, with their sights set on his fortune in money and gold.
The malevolent scheme was set in motion by Mugisha Nicholas, an employee of Juba City Hotel, who colluded with the other perpetrators to meticulously plan their nefarious actions. Over multiple meetings, they strategized their approach. On the 13th of August 2018, they cunningly booked three rooms at Juba City Hotel located in the bustling Arua Park, marking the inception of their malevolent operation.
Behind the scenes, the mission was fueled by the financial contributions of Kabano Abdul, Kanyomozi Deus, and Oribitunga Nelson himself. Notably, Oribitunga Nelson, a Security Officer working for Saracen Security Company, procured a pistol from his colleague, Monday Patrick, with the assistance of Chothembo Jacob, Monday Patrick’s supervisor. To ensure the success of their heinous plan, they meticulously surveilled the hotel in the days leading up to the execution.
In the early hours of August 15, 2018, darkness enveloped the scene as Oribitunga Nelson, Gumisiriza Innocent, Kanyomozi Deus, and Kabano Abdul stealthily infiltrated Ibrahim Bahkit’s room. Armed and ruthless, they cornered him at gunpoint, extracting a substantial sum of USD 3400 from him. Tragically, Ibrahim Bahkit’s brother, Abdallah Mohammed, bravely intervened, not anticipating the deadly consequences that would unfold. In a moment of sheer terror, Oribitunga Nelson unleashed his weapon, mercilessly striking both Ibrahim Bahkit and Mohammed Abdallah with fatal gunshots.
In a frantic attempt to escape the clutches of justice, the assailants fled to Arua Park. However, their violent spree did not end there. Oribitunga Nelson callously targeted Owachgiu Albert, firing a shot at his head, leaving him grievously wounded. Authorities swiftly apprehended Oribitunga Nelson, Gumisiriza Innocent, and Kanyomozi Deus at Arua Park, while the investigation into this harrowing series of events continued to unfold. Regrettably, Ibrahim Bahkit and Mohammed Abdallah succumbed to their grave injuries, leaving their loved ones shattered and in mourning. Meanwhile, Owachgiu Albert fought valiantly for his life, undergoing a critical operation to remove the bullet lodged in his left temporal scalp.
The wheels of justice began to turn as the authorities made progress in apprehending the culprits. Eventually, a total of eight suspects were arrested and charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery. In 2022, Oribitunga Nelson, having recognized the gravity of his actions, pleaded guilty to all charges and received a life imprisonment sentence.
Justice Stephen Mubiru delivered the verdict on May 9, 2023, for the remaining acussed, with the exception of Monday Patrick. The prosecution passionately argued for life imprisonment, underscoring the irreparable loss of two lives, the near-fatal ordeal endured by Owachgiu Albert, and the financial impact suffered by the hotel, amounting to USD 3400.
Taking into account the aggravating and mitigating circumstances of the case, the court reached a momentous decision. Gumisiriza Innocent, Kanyomozi Deus, Namara Daniel, Chothembo Jacob, and Kabano Abdul were condemned to life behind bars for their roles in the murder and aggravated robbery charges. Furthermore, Gumisiriza Innocent, Kanyomozi Deus, and Namara Daniel received additional sentences of 10 years and 4 months imprisonment for their involvement in the attempted murder, while Chothembo Jacob faced a sentence of 10 years and 6 months imprisonment. Kabano Abdul, on the other hand, was handed a term of 10 years and 8 months imprisonment. It is crucial to note that all sentences are to run concurrently, ensuring that justice is served for the heinous crimes committed.
