Septic tank murder: Businessman Onebe’s trial resumes today

KAMPALA - The murder trial of businessman Francis Onebe resumes today (February 23, 2026) at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala.

Onebe, an accountant by profession, is accused of killing his wife, Immaculate Mary Blessing Aiso, and later dumping her body in a septic tank.

The businessman is battling murder charges together with Bonny Oriekot, a security guard attached to Pentagon Security. The offence of murder elicits a maximum sentence of death, on conviction.

The court is being presided over by Justice Andrew Khaukha, the executive director of the Judicial Training Institute.

Lawyers Patrick Kasumba, Joshua Emorut and David Oluka are defending the accused persons, while Chief State Attorneys Sharifa Nalwanga and Joseph Kyomuhendo are prosecuting the case.

Background

On January 6, 2021, Onebe reported a case of his missing wife at Buziga Police Post, and investigations commenced. He claimed that her wife was picked up by plainclothes operatives travelling in a ‘drone’ and taken to unknown destination.

A week later, her body was recovered from a septic tank at the couple’s residence by the joint security team headed by the Crime Investigation Department of the Police Force.
Police preliminary investigations reveal that Onebe and wife, Aiso, parted ways and after 14 years reunited and formally married until her murder.

Following a Police probe, Onebe was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife before Makindye Chief Magistrates Court and later committed to the High Court for trial after completion of investigations.

In the committal papers, the Director of Public Prosecutions reveals that Onebe and Aiso had a dispute over sorcery, resulting in the death of his wife.