The Entebbe High Court has adjourned the hearing of Rev Dominic Alinga, in the alleged murder of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) official, John Bosco Ngorok and attempted murder of Abigaba Mugisha a boda Boda operator in August 2024 in Entebbe Municipality.
On Tuesday, Fr Alinga was arraigned before the Entebbe resident judge, Hon Lady Justice Flavia Nabakooza for plea taking, during which he denied the two counts of murder and attempted murder contrary to sections 171 and 172 of the Penal Code Act and section 187, cap 128 respectively.
According to prosecution, on count one of murder with Malice afterthought, Rev Fr Dominic Alinga, then a priest and resident of Alipada village, Ngoleite Sub County, kangole town council in Napak district committed murder which is contrary to section 171 and 172 of the penal code cap 128.
“Rev Fr Dominic Alinga on the 3rd day of August 2024 in Kitooro, Wakiso district with Malice aforethought unlawfully murdered John Bosco Ngorok”.
Court further heard on count two of attempt to murder contrary to section 187 Act cap 128, Rev Fr Dominic Alinga on the 3rd day of August 2024 in Kitooro, Wakiso district unlawfully attempted to cause the death of Abigaba Mugisha, a boda boda rider.
However prior to taking plea, Fr Alinga asked for an opportunity to address the court, during which he apologised and refuted rumours of him refusing to attend a court session on Tuesday last week.
“I was just informed by counsel Mercy and Marks that I have been brought to your attention on a bad image that I have been resisting sessions, and I have been firing counsellors. I apologise for the propaganda and I have never” he said.
He added, “Using the prison authorities as my witnesses, I have never been notified of any session except this one, when the officer in charge last week informed me in his office that you are going to court on a session”.
Fr Alinga said he only remembers attending court last year for his bail application.
Fr Alinga further reported to court an alleged court broker a one Musa Kajja, who visited him in prison and reportedly conned him of UGX 4 million to secure his bail through some lawyers.
“Coming for bail application, you remember the confusion which was here? I never even saw the counsel bring the affidavit for bail for me to go, but it was only this broker who took the four million.
So my Lord, state I’m very, very sorry from the bottom of my heart I’ve never resisted in a session” he said.
Following the complaint, Justice Nabakooza issued an order to arrest the alleged court broker who defrauded the embattled priest.
“It’s okay, but we need to look for that person who talked to you, because if you can come to prison and steal your money, we need to find this person. If you see the person, just tell us and we will be able to pursue him for that money” she said.
Following his not guilty plea, the resident state attorney Ms Janet Kitimbo, informed court the availability of three witnesses to proceed with the case hearing.
“Your Lordship, we had earlier informed you that the prosecution has three witnesses, they are in court. We have four, but will proceed with three. The defence has just been disclosed now because the counsel has just taken on instructions” she said.
However the defence led by Mr Marks Mutabingwa and Ms Mercy Kwagala, asked for an adjournment noting that both the accused and lawyers were not ready to proceed with the hearing, since they had just been disclosed with documents.
“First, we have not yet had time to review them, secondly, they are faint and can’t be read, even if one had glasses you can’t read them my Lord” Mutabingwa said.
Mutabingwa further revealed to court that there is an ongoing traditional process of reconciliation between Fr Alinga’s family and the family of the late John Bosco Ngorok, which is likely to lead to plea bargain by the ex-priest.
“The accused asked for an adjournment to prepare for that process, which isn’t yet complete, so we request for a period of two weeks to prepare so that when we come, we are on the same page, both the complainant and accused person in the interest of justice My Lord” he said.
Justice Nabakooza set July 23rd for the next hearing and further ordered the defence team to provide feedback to the prosecution on the results of the traditional reconciliation talks, prior to the set hearing date.
“The matter is adjourned to 23rd, witnesses you will be informed of what to do on 23rd on coming, or there is a solution…… you’re remanded till then” she said.
