By KT Reporter
His Worship Ponsiano Odwori, the Kitgum Grade One Magistrate, has sentenced Stephens Omona, a father of four, to 15 months in Kitgum Government Prison for torturing his biological children and his sister’s child.
According to court records, on October 30, 2024, in Ganglela Village, Labongo Amida Sub-county, Kitgum District, Omona subjected three children aged between 8 and 12 years to brutal punishment, leaving two with serious injuries. Omona claimed that the children’s alleged indiscipline led him to whip them mercilessly. Omona pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted his actions. However, the court rejected his plea for leniency, citing his history of violent behavior toward children. Magistrate Odwori emphasized that the sentence was intended to deter similar offenses, stating, “Children are a gift from God and should not be punished in such a manner.”
He further noted that Omona’s actions had inflicted severe physical and emotional harm on the victims. The court also denied Omona’s request for community service, arguing that his presence in the community would likely traumatize the victims further. “You have been a danger to children, and you need to be kept away,” Magistrate Odwori ruled, adding that the sentence serves as a stern warning to parents and guardians in Kitgum and beyond. “Child abuse will not be tolerated in our society,” Odwori stated. “Parents and guardians have a responsibility to protect and care for their children, not to harm them.” Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
