Murder cases top new criminal session at Lira High Court

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LIRA - Murder cases dominate the fresh criminal session of the High Court in Lira, which opened this week with Justice Vincent Opyene presiding.

The session has lined up 50 case files involving 77 accused persons, with most offences reported from the districts of Amolatar, Dokolo and Alebtong. A few cases originate from Lira city, Kwania and Apac. Some files carry fewer accused after earlier plea bargains or withdrawals by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Justice Opyene’s docket includes 27 cases of murder, 17 of aggravated defilement, seven of aggravated robbery, three of aggravated trafficking in children, three of rape, two of attempted murder, one arson, and one burglary.

This follows last week’s concluded session by Justice Lawrence Tweyanze, who handled 42 capital cases. These comprised 25 murders, seven of aggravated defilement, five of aggravated robbery, four of rape, and one each of manslaughter, homosexuality, and aggravated child trafficking.

All the accused persons except Andrew Ogwang from Amolatar, accused of aggravated defilement, pleaded not guilty. Ogwang’s case was adjourned to October 1, 2025, for the reading of brief facts.

While opening the session, Justice Opyene urged the accused to speak the truth, noting that honesty could spare them regret.

“We are all here looking for truth. The truth will set you free and save us time,” he said. “You can tell us the truth, and we bargain. Even King David, who took another man’s wife and had him killed, asked for forgiveness and was forgiven. The door is still open—use it so that you don’t regret.”

According to the 2024 Annual Police Crime Report, North Kyoga policing region (Lango) ranked third in the country with 16,490 cases reported, after Rwizi (17,404) and Kampala Metropolitan North (16,978). In both 2023 and 2022, North Kyoga led the country in reported crime.