news 4 April 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Court of Appeal Frees Man After Six Years in Jail for Alleged Defilement of 4-Year-Old
Uganda's Court of Appeal has overturned the conviction of William Jjuko, who served six years of a 27-year sentence for aggravated defilement of a young girl in Kampala. The panel ruled that identification evidence was unreliable and failed to meet the beyond reasonable doubt standard. Source: https://observer.ug/news/court-of-appeal-acquits-man-convicted-of-defiling-4-year-old-girl
The Court of Appeal in Uganda has acquitted William Jjuko, who had spent six years behind bars following a High Court conviction for aggravated defilement of a four-year-old girl in Nakawa Division, Kampala.
The appeal, numbered 0233 of 2023, challenged a November 8, 2019, ruling by Justice Jane Frances Abodo. Jjuko, represented by senior counsel Henry Kunya, argued there was no proof of a sexual act, insufficient link to him as the perpetrator, and an excessive sentence.
Justices Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Ketrah Kitariisibwa Katunguka, and Cornelia Kakooza Sabiiti reviewed the case, with the state led by chief state attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo.
Medical evidence and the victim’s mother’s testimony confirmed a sexual act had occurred, showing mild genital tenderness and inflammation. However, the court deemed the identification by a 13-year-old neighbor, Innocent Lutaaya, unreliable. The witness had only a brief glimpse of the suspect, whom he did not know beforehand, and identified Jjuko two weeks later without a parade or corroboration.
The justices stressed that in criminal cases, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and any identity doubt favors the accused. They found the single witness’s uncorroborated testimony created a risk of error.
The appeal succeeded: the conviction and 27-year, 11-day sentence were quashed, and Jjuko was ordered released immediately.
Prosecutors claimed that on July 2, 2017, Jjuko enticed the child with sweets into a bush, removed her underwear, and assaulted her. The neighbor alerted his mother, leading to the victim’s mother discovering fluids on the child. She rushed her to a clinic, then reported to Jinja Road police station. Jjuko was examined and found to be an adult of sound mind.