Catholic priest sentenced to 31 years in prison for murder, attempted murder, in Uganda

Father Dominic Alinga pleaded guilty to the murder of a Uganda Revenue Authority official and the attempted murder of man who tried to help before confessing to another priest and turning himself in.

KAMPALA, Uganda — A Catholic priest previously suspended in Uganda has been sentenced to 31 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of a Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) official and the attempted murder of a man who tried to help, bringing to a close a criminal case that has drawn widespread attention in the East African nation.

Justice Flavia Nabakooza of the High Court in Entebbe handed down the sentences on July 23 after Father Dominic Alinga admitted to the murder of John Bosco Ngorok and the attempted murder of Moses Abigaba, who was riding a boda boda (a bicycle or motorcycle used as a taxi to carry passengers or goods) and tried to intervene.

The court sentenced Alinga to 21 years in prison for murder and 10 years for attempted murder. The sentences are to run concurrently. The court also ordered that compensation be paid to Abigaba, who survived the attack.

According to Ugandaʼs Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Alinga admitted responsibility for both offenses during court proceedings.

“The conviction demonstrates that criminal responsibility applies equally to all persons regardless of their social or religious status,” the ODPP said following the judgment.

Alinga is a priest of the Diocese of Moroto in Ugandaʼs Karamoja region. He was ordained to the priesthood in July 2020 and served at Iriiri Catholic Parish in Napak District before his suspension from ministry.

He was suspended effective July 17, 2024, by Bishop Damiano Guzzetti of the Moroto Diocese, who prohibited Alinga from celebrating Mass, administering the sacraments, and exercising priestly ministry anywhere in the diocese or elsewhere in the Church.

While confirming the authenticity of the suspension decree, Guzzetti reportedly declined to disclose the reasons for the disciplinary measure, saying the matter was not public. Instead he urged the faithful to pray for the priest “so that he may deeply receive the grace of conversion and amendment of life.”

The suspension reportedly came about two weeks before the killing of Ngorok. According to prosecutors, Alinga believed the URA officer had shared information that contributed to his suspension from priestly ministry.

Court records indicate that on Aug. 2, 2024, Alinga arranged to meet Ngorok in Entebbe. While traveling together, he allegedly attacked the tax official with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds.

As Ngorok attempted to escape and seek help, Abigaba came to his assistance. Prosecutors said Alinga then drove his vehicle into both men before fleeing the scene.

Ngorok later succumbed to his injuries, while Abigaba survived.

Investigators said Alinga fled to eastern Uganda following the incident, where he reportedly sought out another Catholic priest and confessed to the killing before surrendering himself to police.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. He remained in custody as investigations and court proceedings continued until he entered guilty pleas before the High Court in Entebbe.

Under the Churchʼs Code of Canon Law, the suspension imposed on Alinga prohibited him from exercising priestly ministry but did not remove him from the clerical state.

As of the time of his sentencing, there has been no public announcement that Alinga has been dismissed from the clerical state, a canonical penalty commonly referred to as laicization. Such a penalty requires a separate canonical process and, in many cases, the approval of the Holy See.

The Diocese of Moroto has not publicly commented on the High Courtʼs judgment.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been adapted by EWTN News.