UGANDA, Jinja | Real Muloodi News | In a harrowing case that shocked the community, a 28-year-old woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Jinja City after being found guilty of sacrificing her landlord’s 4-year-old daughter.
The grim discovery was made on September 30, 2021, when the headless body of Isabella Trinity Nakisuyi was found in a sugarcane plantation in Kakira, with her severed head located in Wanyange, both in Jinja District suburbs.
Little Isabella was the cherished daughter of Annet Nakisasi and John Mulodi, residents of Kakira Cell in Jinja District.
In the wake of this gruesome murder, three individuals were arrested: Felista Namaganda, her boyfriend Pastor Joseph Sselubiri of Healing and Deliverance Church in Market Cell, Kakira Town Council in Jinja District, and Pastor Isma Buyinza Ssekabira, who also goes by the name Israel.
The trio faced two serious charges: aggravated trafficking, as defined in Section 3(1), 4(a), and 5(a) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (2009), and murder, as outlined in Section 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act Cap 120.
In a significant legal development, Jinja High Court Judge, Justice Winfred Nabisinde, sentenced Pastor Sselubiri to life imprisonment for murder and 30 years for child trafficking, after he pleaded guilty.
In contrast, Ms. Namaganda and Pastor Ssekabira alias Israel opted for a trial.
After a protracted trial that spanned several weeks, Pastor Sselubiri was acquitted, whereas Namaganda was convicted of aggravated trafficking, leading to a 30-year prison sentence, and also found guilty of murder, which resulted in a life sentence. Both sentences are to run concurrently.
In her ruling on the case, Justice Nabisinde stated, “I have taken into account the circumstances under which the deceased was trafficked from her home with the intention of sacrifice. I will imprison you for 30 years over aggravated trafficking and life imprisonment for murder, but you can appeal against the conviction and the sentence within 14 days.”
Namaganda maintained her innocence throughout the trial, claiming she was at her father’s shop on the fateful day.
In delivering her verdict, Justice Nabisinde highlighted the heinous nature of the crime, saying, “The degree of murder was fatal. The deceased was an innocent little child, vulnerable; she could not defend herself. You (Namaganda) abused the position of trust the child had in you.”
On the other hand, State prosecutor Pamela Orogot sought the death penalty, while the defence lawyer, Robert Esarait, requested a 20-year sentence because Namaganda is a mother of a young child in need of a parent.
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