The High Court in Entebbe has sentenced Rev. Fr. Dominic Alinga to 21 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to murdering Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff member John Bosco Ngorok, whom prosecutors said he killed after suspecting him of revealing information that led to his suspension.
The court also sentenced Rev. Fr. Alinga to 10 years in prison for the attempted murder of Moses Abigaba. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning the priest will serve a total of 21 years in prison.
The court further ordered compensation for Abigaba, who survived the attack.
The conviction was delivered by Justice Flavia Nabakooza on July 23, 2026, after Rev. Fr. Alinga admitted to charges of murder and attempted murder.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the offences occurred on August 2, 2024.
Prosecutors told court that Rev. Fr. Alinga allegedly believed that Ngorok had disclosed confidential information that resulted in his suspension. He is said to have lured Ngorok into a meeting before travelling with him towards Entebbe.
During the journey, prosecutors said the priest attacked and stabbed Ngorok. When Abigaba attempted to intervene and help the victim, the priest allegedly attacked him as well, knocking both men with his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Ngorok later succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack.
The ODPP said that after the incident, Rev. Fr. Alinga attempted to conceal evidence before fleeing to Tororo, where he later confessed to another priest and surrendered to police.
Resident State Attorney Janet Kitimbo represented the ODPP during the proceedings.
Commenting on the conviction, ODPP spokesperson Jacquelyn Okui said the sentence demonstrates that all individuals are accountable under the law regardless of their position or status in society.
“The conviction and sentence of this Reverend Father demonstrate that no one is above the law, not even religious personalities. This case serves as a reminder that criminal responsibility is irrespective of an individual’s social standing, profession, or religious office,” Okui said.
She added that the ODPP appreciates the efforts of prosecutors and investigators who handled the case, while expressing sympathy to the victim’s family.
Okui said the outcome should strengthen public confidence in the justice system by showing that acts of violence will attract legal consequences.
