Some of the appellants arrive in court

Murder convict released as Court of Appeal overturns 30-year sentence

by · The Observer

A man who was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2011 for the death of his sister, has expressed hope for reintegration into the community following the Court of Appeal's decision to revise his conviction and release him.

Godfrey Aruho was one of 28 appellants heard during a criminal appeals session at the Jinja High court on December 9–10, 2024. Initially sentenced by Mukono High court judge Joseph Murangira on November 9, 2011, Aruho pleaded guilty during a plea bargain session. He admitted to his role in his sister's death following a longstanding land dispute and several threats he had allegedly made against her.

The court heard that after what appeared to be a reconciliation, the siblings consumed alcohol together on May 11, 2011. While walking home, Aruho reportedly assaulted his sister, who later succumbed to her injuries. Before her death, the victim identified Aruho as her attacker. An autopsy revealed that she suffered fatal brain damage from a blow to the head, along with multiple injuries across her body.

Aruho challenged his 30-year sentence, arguing that it was excessively harsh given that he was intoxicated and unaware of his actions. He also highlighted that he was a first-time offender, showed remorse, and pleaded guilty to avoid wasting the court's time.

Prosecutors, however, maintained that intoxication could not justify leniency unless it caused insanity or a total lack of control, which was not proven in his case. They argued that the murder was premeditated, citing malice aforethought established during his initial sentencing. 

The three justices of the appellate court, led by Hellen Obura, reviewed precedents in similar cases and considered the autopsy findings. They noted that Aruho had not deliberately targeted sensitive areas of his sister’s body to cause death. Coupled with his remorsefulness and cooperation during the trial, they ruled to downgrade his conviction from murder to manslaughter.

The justices reduced his sentence from 30 years to 18 years. Prison records confirmed that Aruho had already served more than the new sentence, prompting the court to release him immediately. Aruho, who had endured over a decade of imprisonment at Kirinya prison, shared his transformation journey. Despite the challenges of prison life congestion, poor living conditions, and isolation from his family he described the experience as life-changing.

“Kirinya prison became a place of new beginnings for me,” he said, crediting the institution for spiritual growth, skills training, and opportunities to reconcile with his family. While expressing regret over his sister’s death, Aruho emphasized his commitment to living a reformed life.

“Unfortunately, my sister will never know how sorry I am, but I leave the gates of Kirinya prison a reformed man, forgiven, free from guilt, and ready to reunite with my family,” he said.

He added, “I was childish then, always driven by emotions and selfishness to achieve whatever I wanted in this life, but the period spent in confinement has availed me with the utmost humility, selflessness, and ability to prioritize other people's needs beyond self.” Aruho hopes his story will inspire others to embrace humility, prioritize the needs of others, and avoid the pitfalls of emotional recklessness.

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