Suspects accused of burning Soroti school fail to secure bail

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The 12 suspects charged together with the Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo over burning Jozan nursery and primary school in March, have failed to secure bail again.

The suspects who were remanded in March following their arrest and charging at the Soroti chief magistrate court with four counts of arson, malicious damage, breaking into the school and theft, appeared on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in court for bail application hearing.

Presiding magistrate Hilda Bakanasa Walaga, on Thursday, allowed the suspects' lawyers led by MP Moses Bitek Junior to present sureties for the 12 suspects and all the necessary documents. 

The suspects are accused of committing the offences on March 6, 2025, according to the prosecution. MP Alobo was granted a cash bail of shillings two million.

The suspects, who all denied the charges and currently on remand in Soroti Prison are Joseph Osege, Solomon Obura, Nara Akiror Joseph Egimu, Emmanuel Okiror, James Odongo, Stephen Okello, Juma Ogwel, Moses Olipa, Sam Idakun, Joseph Okol and Mark Obonyo.

State prosecutor Paul Okello informed court that they were not ready to proceed because of incomplete investigations by the Police.

"Ïts okay on our side if they are not ready because section 71 of the magistrate court act is very clear on issues of want of prosecution because if they can’t bring witnesses then it means they are not ready to prosecute my clients and so I’m timing them before I go and ask court dismiss this matter,” Bitek responded.

Regarding the bail application, Bitek said “we have put forth a strong bail application and I believe that the court will be convinced to grant bail to my clients”.

Bakanasa said she will deliver her ruling on May 29.

Genesis of the case

Angry people burnt down the school after Joan Faith Apio, 5, a P1 pupil, was found murdered inside the school toilet in February this year.

They have been sharing the cells with the suspects charged with the murder of Apio, who have now spent 53 days on remand.

These are school director Joseph Okedi, his wife Suzan Vivian Ariokot, headteacher James Edoket and Okedi's brother John Bosco Obotol, a Police officer.

Others on remand are school matron Osula Adongo (at Luzira women’s prison), school cook Valentin Opio and two juveniles, one being the daughter of Okedi.

Both teams shall appear in court on May 29 but in different courtrooms. The murder suspects will appear before grade one magistrate Apollo Kibirige.