The High Court in Soroti has sentenced a 37-year-old man from Katakwi District to 30 years in prison for killing his father-in-law during a violent confrontation over a dowry refund.
Vincent Odongo, a resident of Kipinyanga Village in Katakwi, was found guilty of killing his father-in-law, Joseph Onangu, after the latter allegedly refused to return dowry paid for Odongo’s estranged wife.
Delivering judgment on Friday evening, Justice Boniface Wamala described Odongo’s actions as “cruel, deliberate, and driven by a sense of entitlement,” saying the punishment should deter others from resorting to violence in domestic disputes.
“The court finds that the act of taking another person’s life over a dowry disagreement was not only unjustifiable but also brutal. This sentence should stand as a warning to all who take the law into their own hands,” Justice Wamala said.
The judge handed Odongo a 30-year sentence but deducted five years and four months he had already spent on remand at Soroti Main Prison, leaving him with an effective sentence of 24 years and eight months.
Court records show that the murder occurred on May 4, 2020, when Odongo confronted Onangu over four cows he had paid as bride price.
The couple had been married for eight years before separating, prompting Odongo to demand a refund.
Witnesses testified that repeated arguments over the issue had escalated tensions between the two men.
On the fateful day, Odongo reportedly stormed his father-in-law’s homestead and strangled him after a heated exchange.
Villagers apprehended Odongo and handed him over to Katakwi Central Police Station.
Court Proceedings
During mitigation, Odongo’s lawyer, Francis Ajum, pleaded for leniency, citing his client’s poor health, particularly liver disease, and his cooperation during the trial.
Ajum asked the court to consider rehabilitation instead of harsh punishment.
However, State Attorney Rebecca Namatala pushed for the maximum sentence of death, arguing that the murder was premeditated and committed with extreme cruelty.
“The accused planned and executed the killing over a civil matter that could have been resolved lawfully. Such conduct must be punished severely to protect the sanctity of life,” Namatala submitted.
Justice Wamala declined to impose the death penalty but said the severity of the crime warranted a long custodial sentence.
“The court has considered the mitigating factors presented by the defense, including the convict’s ill health and time spent on remand. However, the gravity of the offense warrants a deterrent sentence,” the judge ruled.
Relatives of the deceased who attended the session welcomed the verdict, saying it brought them “a sense of closure” after nearly five years of waiting for justice.
Odongo was immediately returned to Soroti Main Prison to begin serving his sentence.
