Sandra Ainebyoona.
Gulu, Uganda – The Hight Court in Gulu has sentenced Richard Ojanga, a 20-year-old man, to 24 years in prison for the murder of a one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl in Nwoya district. The presiding judge, Philip Odoki, delivered the sentence following Ojanga’s guilty plea to the heinous crime.
The tragic incident occurred on August 8, 2021, in Alingiri village, Lungulu sub-county, Nwoya district. Ojanga, along with two unidentified individuals who are still on the run, abducted young Blessing Alimo from her father’s residence. Subsequently, they led her to a secluded wooded area where Ojanga strangled her to death.
The trial, conducted via video conferencing, offered a harrowing account of the events. After Alimo’s disappearance, her parents and local authorities initiated an intensive search. Suspicious behavior by Ojanga was reported by witnesses, leading to the discovery of Alimo’s lifeless body discarded in nearby bushes.
During the court proceedings, Ojanga admitted his guilt and expressed remorse, seeking forgiveness. He shared his background as an orphan who resorted to manual labor on a farm in Alingiri. Shockingly, Ojanga revealed that he, along with his accomplices who are still evading capture, had been enticed by an individual named Jessica to commit the gruesome murder for a mere sh200,000, allegedly with the intent of trafficking the baby’s internal organs.
Sarah Amony, the Chief Resident State Attorney, emphasized the gravity of the crime, highlighting its cruel nature and the enduring trauma inflicted upon the child’s grieving parents. The postmortem examination conducted by Dr. James Okello confirmed that Alimo died due to strangulation resulting from oxygen deprivation. Dr. Jasper Omara’s evaluation attested to Ojanga’s mental soundness.
Defense counsel Walter Okidi Ladwar did not raise objections to Ojanga’s plea bargain, acknowledging his cooperation during the proceedings. Ladwar noted that this was Ojanga’s first offense and commended his lack of time-wasting during court proceedings. He also requested the court to consider the time Ojanga had spent on remand since his arrest on August 11, 2021.
Resident Judge Philip Odoki handed down the sentence, taking into account Ojanga’s guilty plea and voluntary signing of the plea bargain form. Odoki determined that a 24-year prison term was appropriate. With consideration for the 2 years and 10 days Ojanga had already spent in remand, Odoki calculated that Ojanga would serve a total of 21 years, 11 months, and 20 days behind bars. Odoki also emphasized Ojanga’s right to appeal within a 14-day period if he is dissatisfied with the court’s decision.
