A court has sentenced Rev. Father Dominic Alinga to 21 years in prison after he admitted to murdering John Bosco Ngorok and attempting to murder Moses Abigaba in a case that attracted widespread public attention.
The conviction followed a guilty plea entered by the priest before the High Court on July 23, 2026. Appearing before Justice Flavia Nabakooza, Rev. Fr. Alinga admitted to both charges of murder and attempted murder, bringing to an end a criminal case that began after a deadly incident in August 2024.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the tragedy stemmed from suspicions held by the priest that John Bosco Ngorok had revealed sensitive information about him, which allegedly contributed to his suspension. Believing Ngorok was responsible for exposing his secrets, Rev. Fr. Alinga reportedly arranged a meeting with him under false pretences.
On August 2, 2024, the two travelled together towards Entebbe. During the journey, prosecutors said the priest attacked Ngorok and repeatedly stabbed him. As the badly injured victim tried to escape and seek help, Moses Abigaba came to his rescue.
However, instead of stopping, Rev. Fr. Alinga allegedly turned his anger towards Abigaba. Prosecutors told court that he deliberately knocked both men with his vehicle before fleeing the scene. John Bosco Ngorok later died from the injuries he sustained during the attack, while Abigaba survived.
Investigations further revealed that after the incident, Rev. Fr. Alinga attempted to conceal evidence before fleeing to Tororo. While there, he reportedly confessed to a fellow priest before eventually surrendering himself to police.
After considering his guilty plea, the court convicted him on both counts. Justice Nabakooza sentenced him to 21 years’ imprisonment for murder and an additional 10 years for attempted murder. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve the 21-year prison term. The court also ordered compensation for Moses Abigaba for the injuries and suffering he endured during the attack.
The prosecution was led by Resident State Attorney Janet Kitimbo from the Entebbe office of the ODPP, which commended the prosecutors and investigators whose work led to the successful conviction.
In a statement following the judgment, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of their position in society or religious office. The ODPP also expressed sympathy to the family of John Bosco Ngorok and everyone affected by the tragic incident, saying it hopes the judgment will strengthen public confidence in the justice system and reaffirm that acts of violence will be met with the full force of the law.
