Man jailed for life for killing wife, mother of two
The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence to prove that Ngabire had been strangled to death and that Bagabo had previously been violent towards his wife.
After considering both the aggravating and mitigating factors, the court upheld the prosecution’s request and sentenced Bagabo to life imprisonment.
WAKISO - The High Court in Wakiso has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) successfully proved that he strangled her to death.
Boniface Bagabo was convicted on May 21, 2026, for the murder of his wife, Shalot Ngabire.
While delivering the sentence, Justice Sarah Langa Siu said the family is one of the key foundations of society and should never become a place where spouses are subjected to violence and victimisation.
Court heard that on the night of January 10, 2021, Bagabo was at home with Ngabire and their two children when the couple’s daughter woke up after hearing her mother crying for help and pleading for forgiveness before she suddenly went silent.
According to prosecution evidence, Bagabo later called neighbours and claimed that his wife had slipped and fallen in the bathroom.
However, when neighbours and police officers arrived at the scene, they found Ngabire lying on the bathroom floor with severe bruises and a visible mark around her neck.
The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence to prove that Ngabire had been strangled to death and that Bagabo had previously been violent towards his wife.
Court also heard that investigators promptly documented the crime scene, secured DNA evidence and exhibits, and collected witness statements that helped reconstruct the events leading to the murder.
The prosecution asked court to impose a life sentence, citing aggravating factors including the gruesome nature of the murder, the fact that the offence was committed in the presence of the couple’s children, premeditation, attempts to conceal evidence, previous acts of violence against the deceased, the emotional impact on the children and extended family, and breach of marital trust.
After considering both the aggravating and mitigating factors, the court upheld the prosecution’s request and sentenced Bagabo to life imprisonment.
The prosecution was led by Senior State Attorney Anthony Wamibu and State Attorney Precious Atuhaire from the ODPP.