'Mistaken identity': Pader man convicted of having sex with goat

_______________

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Pader district has convicted a 22-year-old man after he pleaded guilty to the charge of having carnal knowledge with a female goat.

According to the judgment delivered by acting chief magistrate Martins Kirya, convict Emmanuel Ocen appeared before the court in the criminal case charged under Section 134(b) of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128, with having carnal knowledge of an animal, which is against the order of nature.

Court records indicate that the offence occurred on October 18, 2025, in Abilin-Nino village, Angangura sub-county.

Ocen admitted to the act during the proceedings, explaining that he had mistakenly believed he was engaging in sexual activity with a woman.

Ocen told the court that he was working for a traditional healer when a female visitor arrived at the healer’s home while he was away. He stated that he welcomed her and that a consensual sexual encounter appeared to take place.

Court records indicate that the convict launched his manifesto to the female visitor, to which she accepted.

“I then ushered her into the house, but she refused and said we should go to the bush. We then went to the bush and had coitus”, Ocen said.

However, during the act, a village friend, Samuel Oloya, saw him and questioned why he was having sex with a goat. At that moment, Ocen realisedSex he was holding a brown she-goat with black patches and a white belt.

“As I was in the middle of the act, a village friend of mine, Oloya Samuel, spotted us as he was passing along the road. He asked me why I was having sex with a goat. I honestly laughed at him in shock, and I told him not to mistake my girlfriend with a goat.

He insisted, I was on top of a goat. Shortly, I realised, in my chest, I was holding onto a she goat, brown in color with some black patches and a white belt,” said Ocen.

During court proceedings, the prosecution, represented by Resident Senior State Attorney Ivan Kyazze, presented brief facts and supporting evidence.

The prosecution indicated that the two-and-a-half year-old goat had recently given birth and tendered a Police form confirming Ocen as a normal adult male.

A veterinary report by Dr Maureen Grace Birungi indicated that the goat exhibited difficulty standing, continuous bleating, licking of hindquarters, reddening, and bruising of the birth canal consistent with penetration.

The prosecution submitted that the offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but recommended that the court consider the convict’s status as a first-time offender.

Cleansing ritual

Defence counsel Eunice Lakaraber, appearing on state brief, requested a lenient, non-custodial sentence, noting that Ocen was remorseful and that, according to local culture, he needed to undergo cleansing rituals.

Elders from the community provided guidance on the cultural aspect of the case, outlining a ritual in which Ocen would buy a goat, return to the site of the incident, and participate in a cleansing ceremony.

The elders explained that the ritual involved symbolic acts and the preparation of the goat for consumption by the elders only.

Abnormal state of mind

As a result, Chief Magistrate Kirya said the act represented a cultural abomination and reflected an abnormal state of mind, but found nothing objectionable with the cleansing ritual proposed by the elders.

He cautioned Ocen and ordered his release, allowing him to participate in the cultural cleansing if he wished.

“It is a true definition of an abnormal mind, which clearly is a cultural abomination. I have also listened to the contributions of the elders who have made contributions to the cultural practices in respect of the offence committed. I find nothing repugnant to the custom if the convict decides to embrace it.

“For my case, I sentence the convict to a caution, and accordingly, release him. He may if he so wishes, participate in the custom as elaborated by the Elders for cleansing purposes”, said Kirya.