JINJA– Justice has been meted out in a tragic case that deeply shook the Jinja community. Mukisa Yusuf was today, September 9, 2025, successfully prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and sentenced by the High Court sitting in Jinja to life imprisonment for multiple grave offences, including murder and aggravated defilement. Yusuf pleaded guilty to all offences.
According to the facts presented to the court by the prosecution led by Senior State Attorney Atoe Moses, the offences occurred on the night of 13th May 2022. Yusuf, who had previously been in a relationship with the victims’ mother, was entrusted with the care of her three children while she travelled to Bugerere. Until that night, the arrangement appeared to have posed no difficulties.
The prosecution submitted that Yusuf entered the children’s rooms while they were asleep. He forcibly sexually assaulted the two youngest victims before proceeding to attack the 12-year-old Ssezabi Benjamin with a panga (machete), inflicting multiple deep cuts that led to the boy’s death. He later returned to the other victims’ rooms, cutting them as well, in what was described as attempted murders, before fleeing the scene.
Hon. Lady Justice Joanita Gertrude Bushara, convicted Yusuf on five counts: one count of murder, two counts of aggravated defilement, and two counts of attempted murder.
In sentencing him to life imprisonment, Hon. Lady Justice Bushara highlighted the heinous nature of the crimes, their devastating impact on the young victims, and the need for the punishment to reflect both the seriousness of the offences and society’s condemnation of such acts.
This case demonstrates the urgent need for stronger child protection measures and vigilance in domestic and cohabitation arrangements.
Appreciation goes to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) for collecting the requisite evidence, Kyampisi Childcare Ministries for providing a home to the survivors and the local community for supporting the investigation.
