SHOCKING!! Killer of Top Ugandan Doctor Jailed 60 Years After Failed Plea Deal

The High Court in Lira has handed down a lengthy prison term to Paul Mugerwa, convicting him over the killing of a prominent Ugandan medical professional in a case that drew national attention and outrage within the country’s health sector.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, April 13, 2026, Lady Justice Sarah Birungi Kalibbala sentenced Mugerwa to a combined 60 years in prison after finding him guilty of the murder and aggravated robbery of Dr. Wilfred Olila — a respected lecturer at Soroti University, a specialized medical doctor, and a businessman.

The court rejected a plea bargain in which Mugerwa had admitted guilt to all charges on February 24, 2026, while asking for a reduced sentence of 30 years. Justice Kalibbala dismissed the request, describing the offence as grave, premeditated, and deserving of a punishment severe enough to deter similar crimes.

“Mugerwa killed a very prominent person, a lecturer at Soroti University, a specialized doctor, and a businessman operating a private clinic who was committed to helping his family and the community,” the judge stated in her ruling.

Although the court acknowledged that Mugerwa had effectively convicted himself through his guilty plea, Justice Kalibbala said the mitigating arguments presented by the defence fell short when weighed against the seriousness of the crime. His lawyers had urged the court to show leniency, citing his family circumstances — including a pregnant wife and a young child — as well as his involvement in community initiatives aimed at supporting young girls in Eastern Uganda.

The judge was not persuaded, maintaining that the nature of the offence outweighed the personal circumstances presented in mitigation.

According to court findings, Mugerwa strangled Dr. Olila to death before attempting to cover his tracks. He later fled to Gomba District, where he went into hiding in a bid to evade arrest. A post-mortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was strangulation.

Justice Kalibbala emphasized that the severity of the crime warranted a long custodial sentence, both as punishment and as a measure to protect the public.

She sentenced Mugerwa to 40 years for murder and 20 years for aggravated robbery. After factoring in the one year and seven days he had already spent on remand, the court ruled that he will serve 38 years, 11 months, and 7 days for murder and 18 years, 11 months, and 7 days for aggravated robbery.

The killing dates back to January 2025, when Dr. Olila was lured away from his New Moroto Clinic in Lira City. He was kidnapped near Lira Hotel in the Senior Quarters area, in what investigators described as a calculated move. His body was later discovered on January 17, 2025, dumped along the Otuboi–Abalanga Road in Ogolai Village, Kalaki District.

Dr. Olila, an otolaryngologist specializing in ear, nose, and throat conditions, was widely regarded as a dedicated clinician and educator. He served as a senior consultant at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and lectured at Soroti University, roles through which he impacted both patients and medical students.

His death sparked widespread condemnation across Uganda, particularly within the medical fraternity. The Uganda Medical Association strongly condemned the killing and called for a swift and thorough investigation, urging authorities to ensure justice for those responsible.

The sentencing brings a significant development in a case that has remained a point of concern for both the public and professional circles, underscoring ongoing calls for accountability and stronger protections against violent crime.