The High Court has sentenced prison warder Anguyo Moses to death after convicting him of murdering four people in Kiboga District.
The court, presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, also sentenced Anguyo to two years in prison on each of two counts of aggravated robbery and three years for threatening violence.
The court further ordered him to compensate the victims Shs35,000 for a stolen pair of trousers and Shs25,000 for an Arsenal jersey.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) secured the conviction and sentence after presenting evidence linking Anguyo to the murders.
In determining the sentence, Justice Kajuga considered both aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
Among the aggravating factors was the killing of four people, including two public servants who were reportedly killed while performing their duties, and a one-and-a-half-year-old child.
The court also considered the use of an AK-47 rifle and the prosecution’s evidence that the victims were targeted on the basis of their tribal identity.
Justice Kajuga further cited Anguyo’s position as a trained prison officer entrusted with a firearm, saying his actions amounted to a breach of trust.
The court noted that the killings had devastating consequences for the victims’ families, leaving six children orphaned and depriving the country of productive citizens, including an architect identified as Ayebare.
The judge, however, considered mitigating factors, including the absence of premeditation, Anguyo’s guilty plea, his young age, remorse, willingness to compensate the victims of the aggravated robbery and his apology to the public.
Justice Kajuga nevertheless ruled that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating factors and imposed the death sentence for the four murder counts.
The DPP said the sentence underscores the seriousness with which the law treats the taking of human life and violent criminal conduct.
“The Office of the DPP extends its sympathies to the families of the deceased,” the prosecution said in a statement.
The prosecution added that the outcome demonstrates the commitment of the DPP, police and Judiciary to ensuring accountability for serious crimes and delivering justice to victims and their families.
The DPP was represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Daisy Nabasitu and Senior State Attorney Stephen Ariong.
