By KT Reporter
The Soroti High Court has sentenced four individuals to 35 years in prison for the brutal murder of a couple. The convicts, Yapesi Omwumwa, aged 57, James Edoru, aged 55, Emma Oriada, 47, and Yakobo Onyait, 58—were found guilty of taking the lives of Stella Amajo and her husband Sameo Okapo, the victims over a financial dispute involving a debt of UGX 200,000.
The tragic incident occurred on February 7, 2021, in Olelia A Village, Akodokod parish in Kapelebyong District. The altercation reportedly began between Stella Amajo and Sameo Okapo over the unpaid debt, escalating to violence that resulted in the couple’s deaths.
During the investigation, a police canine dog was deployed to the scene, leading officers to the accuseds’ homes. The dog handler testified that the victims were found strangled in their bedroom, and the canine successfully traced the suspects, who were discovered with items that had been used in the killings.
According to the medical report, both victims were found to have been strangled
The Soroti High Court Judge, Boniface Wamala stated that the evidence presented, including testimonies from five witnesses, clearly established that the accused had a longstanding grudge against the deceased family regarding money owed to them from the sale of a cow.
State Attorney Doreen Adero emphasized the alarming increase in such violent crimes within the community, arguing that the sentences should have been more severe—suggesting 70 years of imprisonment for each convict to deter similar offenses in the future.
In contrast, the defense lawyers, Francis Ajum and Joseph Odong, pleaded for leniency, noting that each convict has a family of over ten children who depend on them. They argued that the long sentences would not only punish the convicts but also unjustly impact their innocent families.
Upon hearing the verdict, children of one of the convicts, Omwumwa, were visibly distraught, shedding tears as they grappled with the reality of their father’s lengthy prison sentence-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
