Two sentenced to death for clan leader's murder

Kampala High Court has delivered a death sentence to two individuals, Lugya Bbosa alias Tabula and Noah Lugya alias Fake, for the murder of Ndiga clan leader Eng Kakeedo Bbosa Lugya. The court found them guilty of the killing, which occurred on February 25, 2024, in Kikandwa, Lungujja, a suburb of Kampala.

Justice David Matovu, in his sentencing on Thursday, acknowledged that the convicts were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty, thereby saving court time. However, he determined that these mitigating factors were overshadowed by the premeditated nature of the crime and its motive.

The murder was deeply rooted in a protracted conflict over the leadership of the Ndiga clan. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting the killing was meticulously planned, with discussions to eliminate Bbosa reportedly taking place between November and December 2023. The plan allegedly included poisoning as a method.

Court heard that Bbosa was ambushed while returning home with his wife and a househelp. As he slowed his vehicle, two individuals on a motorcycle approached. One reportedly shot Bbosa at close range, causing fatal injuries to his jaw and skull. His wife, though in the car, survived the attack.

Evidence presented included the recovery of an AK-47 rifle linked to spent cartridges found at the scene, CCTV footage, and call-data records. Tabula was identified as playing a key role in planning, while Noah was allegedly recruited to carry out the execution. Tabula also reportedly provided the firearm used in the assassination.

Justice Matovu emphasized that the crime’s impact extended beyond Bbosa’s family to the entire Ndiga clan, the Buganda Kingdom, and the nation. He cautioned against vigilantism, noting that one suspect was killed by a mob while another, Noah, was rescued from a mob.

The defense had argued for a custodial sentence, citing the convicts’ remorse and Noah’s young age at the time of the offense. Tabula expressed anger over his father’s prior killing and unresolved grievances concerning clan leadership, seeking forgiveness from the Kabaka and Bbosa’s family.

Despite these pleas, the prosecution maintained that the severity of the planning and motive outweighed any remorse or guilty pleas. Bbosa’s widow testified about the ongoing psychological trauma and loss of the family’s breadwinner.

In addition to Tabula and Noah, three other suspects—Harriet Nakiguli, Joseph Nakabake, and Ezra Mayanja—are awaiting trial for the same murder. The court’s decision adds to the number of prisoners on death row in Uganda.

This case was reported by The Observer (Uganda).