Court reduces man’s 80-year sentence convicted of killing his father
“Therefore, we set aside the sentence of 80 years’ imprisonment imposed by the trial court. In its place, and in the exercise of the powers of this court under section 11 of the Judicature Act, we sentenced the second appellant to 45 years imprisonment; in arriving at this sentence, we have taken into account,” the judges said.
The appeal arises from the decision of Dr Flavian Zeija, now Chief Justice, who on May 31, 2017, sentenced Mwebembezi to 80 years’ imprisonment.
MASAKA - The Court of Appeal, sitting at Masaka High Court, has reduced the 80-year prison sentence of a man convicted of killing his father to 36 years.
In a verdict delivered on April 22, 2026, a coram comprising Cheborion Barishaki, Ketrah Kitariisibwa Katunguka, and Esta Nambayo revised the sentence imposed on Disan Mwebembezi from 80 years to 36 years.
The appeal arises from the decision of Dr Flavian Zeija, now Chief Justice, who on May 31, 2017, sentenced Mwebembezi to 80 years’ imprisonment.
Court record indicates that Mwebembezi and his brother Gidion Niwajuna on October 15, 2013, at Kagagaaga village, Buyanja Parish, Lyantonde district. Mwebembezi was convicted and sentenced to 80 years in jail, while his brother Niwajuna was sentenced to 25 years and 9 months' imprisonment.
Mwebembezi appealed against both his conviction and sentence, arguing that the High Court imposed a harsh sentence without sufficient evidence that he killed his father. According to the judgment, the deceased is only identified as Nuwagira.
Through his lawyer, Sam Sekyewa, Mwebembezi contends that the 80-year sentence was illegal and excessive, and asked the court to quash it.
Chief State Attorney Happiness Ainebyona from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) argued that the sentence was appropriate and proportionate to the offence of murder, and urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the sentence.
“Therefore, we set aside the sentence of 80 years’ imprisonment imposed by the trial court. In its place, and in the exercise of the powers of this court under section 11 of the Judicature Act, we sentenced the second appellant to 45 years imprisonment; in arriving at this sentence, we have taken into account,” the judges said.
“In arriving at this sentence, we have taken into account the period the appellant spent on remand, and of the 45 years, we deduct 9 years.”
At the time of sentencing, Mwebembezi was 28 years old. The judges rejected the appeal of Niwajuna and upheld the High Court sentence of 25 years and nine months’ imprisonment.