In a scathing judgment that has rocked Uganda’s justice system, Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija has ordered a retrial in the murder case of Arnold Ainebyona, citing damning evidence of corruption and collusion between a state prosecutor and the accused, Moses Ongoriya.
The retrial was ordered after it emerged that Senior State Attorney Mics Isaiah Wanamama conspired with Ongoriya to fraudulently reduce the murder charge to manslaughter, resulting in a lenient six-year sentence through a flawed plea bargain.
“This court will not allow the justice system to be hijacked by those entrusted with upholding it,” Judge Zeija declared. “Fraud and collusion of this nature are an affront to justice and public trust.”
The case stems from the 2019 killing of Byona, who was shot dead in a parking lot at a Naalya supermarket after a minor altercation involving a shopping trolley. Despite clear evidence supporting a murder charge, Ongoriya’s sentence was reduced through a plea bargain orchestrated by Wanamama.
The court found that the prosecutor acted in bad faith, misrepresenting facts and failing to amend the indictment or consult the victim’s family, as required by law. These actions, Judge Zeija ruled, constituted a deliberate attempt to manipulate the judicial process for personal gain.
In a ruling that has been widely praised for its decisiveness, the judge quashed the plea bargain and set aside the manslaughter sentence. He ordered a retrial on the original charge of murder, ensuring that Byona’s death receives the full legal scrutiny it deserves.
The case has sparked outrage across the nation, with calls for accountability within the prosecution service. Many are urging swift disciplinary action against Wanamama and systemic reforms to prevent such abuses in the future.
As the retrial approaches, Byona’s family and the public await justice, determined that his tragic death will not be overshadowed by corruption.
