A suspended Catholic priest in Uganda has been sentenced to 31 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of a Uganda Revenue Authority official and the attempted murder of a man who tried to help. Source: EWTN News.
Justice Flavia Nabakooza of the High Court in Entebbe handed down the sentences on July 23 after Fr Dominic Alinga admitted to the murder of John Bosco Ngorok and the attempted murder of Moses Abigaba, who was riding a boda boda (a bicycle or motorcycle used as a taxi to carry passengers or goods) and tried to intervene.
The court sentenced Fr Alinga to 21 years in prison for murder and 10 years for attempted murder. The sentences are to run concurrently. The court also ordered that compensation be paid to Mr Abigaba, who survived the attack.
According to Ugandaʼs Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Fr Alinga admitted responsibility for both offences during court proceedings.
Fr Alinga is a priest of the Moroto Diocese in Ugandaʼs Karamoja region. He was ordained to the priesthood in July 2020.
He was suspended effective July 17, 2024, by Moroto Bishop Damiano Guzzetti, who prohibited Fr Alinga from celebrating Mass, administering the sacraments, and exercising priestly ministry anywhere in the diocese or elsewhere in the Church.
While confirming the authenticity of the suspension decree, Bishop Guzzetti reportedly declined to disclose the reasons for the disciplinary measure, saying the matter was not public. Instead he urged the faithful to pray for the priest “so that he may deeply receive the grace of conversion and amendment of life”.
The suspension reportedly came about two weeks before the killing of Mr Ngorok. According to prosecutors, Fr Alinga believed the URA officer had shared information that contributed to his suspension from priestly ministry.
Court records indicate that on August 2, 2024, Fr Alinga arranged to meet Mr Ngorok in Entebbe. While traveling together, he allegedly attacked the tax official with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds.
As Mr Ngorok attempted to escape and seek help, Mr Abigaba came to his assistance. Prosecutors said Fr Alinga then drove his vehicle into both men before fleeing the scene.
Mr Ngorok later succumbed to his injuries, while Mr Abigaba survived.
Investigators said Fr Alinga fled to eastern Uganda following the incident, where he reportedly sought out another Catholic priest and confessed to the killing before surrendering himself to police.
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Catholic priest sentenced to 31 years in prison for murder, attempted murder, in Uganda (EWTN News)
