Lady Justice Margret Mutonyi, the Gulu resident High Court judge has sentenced three members of a criminal gang to a 45-year-jail term for the murder of a third year student of Gulu University.
The trio were charged with aggravated robbery and murder of Tonny Opiyo Laker, a final year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science of Computer Science.
Opiyo was also working as a special hire taxi driver at Gulu Main Bus Park when he met his death in January 2013 in the hands of the three gang members.
The three, Martin Odong, (37), Charles Lukulya alias Saleh, (43), and Moses Okello, (25) were convicted for murder and aggravated robbery.
Prosecution led by William Bayo told court that the three men and others still at large on January 10, 2013, at Wii- Layibi Techo, Techo parish, Layibi division in Gulu Municipality at around 6PM, murdered Opiyo.
Bayo told court that Lukulya and Okello had hired Opiyo from Gulu Main Taxi Park in Gulu town before strangling him at Techo, about 8kms from Gulu town. Bayo said the pair overpowered the deceased before strangling him with a rope and dumping his body in a nearby forest.
Bayo further told court that the Lukulya and Okello after strangling the Gulu university student robbed his car, an Ipsum (grey in colour) Reg. No. UAP 181 W.
Prosecution says the car was later driven by Lukulya from Gulu through Arua district before it was sold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The car has never been recovered, the prosecutor told court.
While sentencing the trio, Justice Mutonyi said the killing of the student was premeditated since a rope was bought and was later used to kill Opiyo.
Lady Justice Mutonyi described Opiyo as an industrious person who will be missed by not only his family but the country as well.
The judge said court has the responsibility to protect Ugandans from criminals who are causing untold suffering.
During the 8th graduation ceremony of Gulu University at the main campus situated at Laroo Division in Gulu Municipality in January 2014, students and staff of the University paid tribute to Opiyo describing him as jolly and promising person.
