By KT Reporter
The Soroti Chief Magistrate Court has granted bail to six additional suspects accused of torching Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti City on March 6, 2025. Those released include Solomon Obura, Stephen Okello, Narah Akiror, Juma Ogwel, Sam Idakun, and Mark Obonyo.
They are among 12 individuals arrested on charges of arson, theft, and vandalism following the violent protest that erupted after a court session related to a murder case at the school. The suspects were granted bail by Soroti Chief Magistrate Hilda Bakanasa Kalaga. However, two others—Moses Olipa and Joseph Akol—were further remanded to Soroti government prisons for failing to meet bail requirements.
The court is expected to decide on their bail applications on July 24, 2025. Among those previously released is Soroti City Member of Parliament Joan Alobo, who was granted bail on March 12, 2025, after paying a cash bail of UGX 2.5 million. This brings the total number of suspects released on bail to ten. The remaining eleven accused were each released on a cash bail of UGX 1 million.
Alobo expressed frustration over the drawn-out legal process. “This is the sixth time we are appearing, but we have been kept on adjourned. This has put me behind politically because the time I would use to address my constituents is spent in court,” she said.
“We all believe that this is a cooked case. Ninety-nine percent of the people out there know that this is just a political case. Personally, I was not involved, and I believe the boys who were arrested are innocent. There is no evidence to criminalize them, as the alleged witnesses have failed to show up in court. I pray that God touches the Magistrate to use her powers to dismiss the case since there is no evidence,” Alobo added.
The violence surrounding Jozan Nursery and Primary School stems from a tragic incident on February 5, 2025, when a Primary One pupil, Joan Faith Apio, was found murdered in the school’s staff latrine. As of March 6, eight suspects had been remanded in connection with the murder.
They include the school’s directors, Joseph Okedi and his wife Suzan Vivian Ariokot Okedi, headteacher James Edoket, police officer John Bosco Obotol, school cook Valentine Opio, matron Osula Adong, and two juveniles who were placed in juvenile facilities.
Their virtual court appearance on March 6 triggered public outrage, culminating in the torching of the school and the looting of several items by angry residents who had gathered at Soroti Magistrate Court to follow the proceedings-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
