Catholic priest Rev. Fr Alinga sentenced to 21 years for killing URA staff

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The High Court in Entebbe, presided over by Lady Justice Flavia Nabakooza, has sentenced Rev. Fr Dominic Alinga to a custodial sentence of 21 years for murdering one John Bosco Ngorok, a former staff member of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Fr Dominic Alinga. (Courtesy)

The priest was also sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to murder one Moses Abigaba, a boda boda cyclist operating in areas of Entebbe municipality. Both sentences are to be served concurrently.

Janet Kitimbo, the resident state attorney, on behalf of the office of the director of public prosecutions, obtained the conviction against Fr Alinga.

The offences arose from an incident on August 2, 2024, when Rev. Fr Alinga, suspecting that John Bosco Ngorok had exposed his secrets leading to his suspension from priesthood, lured him into a meeting.

Prosecution contends that while travelling together towards Entebbe, the (then) 34-year-old priest attacked and stabbed Ngorok. "As Ngorok attempted to seek help, he was assisted by Moses Abigaba, a boda boda cyclist, whom Rev. Fr Alinga also targeted, knocking them with a vehicle before fleeing the scene," Kitimbo argued.

Ngorok later succumbed to his injuries while Abigaba miraculously recovered after a long admission in the hospital.

Following the incident, Fr Alinga attempted to conceal evidence and fled to Tororo, where he's said to have confessed to a fellow priest and handed himself over to police.

He was first arraigned in the magistrates court presided over by Lilian Mazimwe, before being committed to the High Court. On July 23, 2026, Fr. Alinga appeared before Justice Nabakooza of the High Court, from where he pleaded guilty to the charges.

He was thus convicted and sentenced to serve an imprisonment term of 21 years for murder and 10 years for attempted Murder.

Fr Dominic Alinga (at the back) boards a Uganda Prisons Service bus. (Photo by Julius Luwemba)

Court also made compensation orders for Moses Abigaba, who sustained injuries while trying to save Ngorok.

According to police reports, the URA staff was stabbed in the neck and head before he was rushed to Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, from where he was pronounced dead.

A resident of Lopiida village, Ngoleriet subcounty, Kangole town council in Napak district, Fr Alinga was a priest of Lopiida village before his suspension from pastoral work.

After the death of John Bosco Ngorok, who was until his demise an employee of Uganda Revenue Authority, Fr Alinga handed himself over to Tororo police station from where he was transferred to Entebbe police station.

Earlier reports indicate that the accused and the deceased were friends, who had gone to hang out together on the fateful night of August 3, when Ngorok met his death.

The Office of the DPP commended the prosecutors and investigators who contributed to securing the conviction and sentence.

Jacquelyn Okui, the public relations officer in the office of the DPP, said the conviction and sentence of Fr Alinga 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 remarked.

"It expresses sympathy to the victim's family and those affected by these tragic events. It is hoped that the outcome of this case reinforces public confidence in the criminal justice system and underscores that acts of violence will be met with the full force of the law," she added in a statement.