Four remanded over murder of senior surgeon Olila

LIRA - Four have been arraigned in court over their alleged involvement in the murder of renowned senior otolaryngologist and Soroti University lecturer Dr Wilfred Olila.

An Otolaryngologist aka ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist is a healthcare specialist who treats conditions affecting the ears, nose and throat. They can also perform head and neck surgeries, including surgeries on the ears, mouth, throat, nose, neck and face. 

Olila’s lifeless body was found lying by the roadside at Otuboi Centre on the Soroti highway by the Otuboi Police in Kalaki district on January 17, 2025.

“He was tied, brutalised, suffocated, and then murdered,” Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma told New Vision Online then.

Among the suspects arranged in court on February 13, 2025 is Joel George Okello, 36, a businessman and resident of Ireda Agali/Anai Ober Cell in Lira city; Steven Kalama, 19, a culvert maker and resident of Kidongole Koyenasub county in Bukedea district.

Others are Mwesigwa Geoffrey, 28, a bouncer at Oak Bar and Restaurant and a resident of Mission Cell, Mbale City and Joseph Okabo, 42, a produce dealer and a resident of Wiakot Ward, Agweng town council in Lira district.

The suspects appeared before the grade one magistrate Sylvia Kampire, who read them charges but did not allow them to take plea due to the capital nature of the offence and can only tried by the High Court. She, therefore, remanded them to prison, adjourning the matter to March 11, 2025, for mention of their case.

The prosecution states that, on January 17, 2025, Okello, Kalama, Mwesigwa, Okabo and others still at large murdered Olila at Senior Quarters A Cell, Senior Quarters ward, East division of Lira City.

The State Prosecutor, Joel Magala informed the court that the case is still under investigation, praying for the adjournment, prompting the magistrate to appoint March 11 for the suspect to reappear.