83-Year-Old Katorin Alango Finds Justice for Son's Death After 18 Years

Lango Sub-Region — In a poignant turn of events, 83-year-old Katorin Alango has finally found justice for her son, Francis Adyebo, who was tragically killed 18 years ago. The ruling came from the Human Rights tribunal on Monday 17th February 2025, at the Uganda Human Rights Commission office (Regional Office) in Lira City, which ordered the Attorney General (The Government of Uganda) to compensate Alango a total of Ugx 65 million for the unlawful death of her son.

Alango, a humble peasant farmer from Bung-Gudu village in Ajok Parish, had fought tirelessly for recognition of her son’s wrongful death. Adyebo, known by his alias Onyala, was just 29 years old when he was allegedly killed by state security agents on October 25, 2007, after being remanded at Erute Prison on theft charges.

83 year old Katorin Along (Standing in the middle) at the Human Rights tribunal in Lira

On the fateful day, District Police Commander Raymond Otim and Officer-in-Charge of the Criminal Investigations Department, Christopher Ocamgiu, entered the prison under the pretext of needing Adyebo for questioning related to a murder investigation. Alango’s family would later discover that Adyebo was dead by the following day, his body bearing bullet wounds to the forehead and chest.

The tribunal heard that the police had presented a letter to the prison authorities, claiming Adyebo was a suspect in a new murder case. Cpl. Amot Olong, the gatekeeper at Erute Prison, handed over Adyebo without consulting any senior officials, a decision that lasted a mere eight minutes. This critical lapse in protocol raised serious questions about the legitimacy of the police's actions and the circumstances surrounding Adyebo's death.

Alango contended that her son’s killing was not only unlawful but also a gross violation of his right to life, holding the state vicariously liable for the actions of its agents. 

The Human Rights tribunal presided over by Hon. Mariam Wangadya (Chairperson) and three other Commissioners; Hon. Col. (Rtd.) Stephen Basaliza, Hon. Lamex Omara Apita and Hon. Crispin Kaheru agreed, recognizing the profound impact of this tragedy on Alango and her family.

In its ruling, the tribunal ordered the Attorney General to pay Ugx 60 million as general damages and an additional Ugx 5 million as exemplary damages, with a 10% annual interest rate applicable for any delays in compensation. A sense of victory and relief looms in Alango's heart, who has endured nearly two decades of heartache and struggle for justice.

Commissioner Hon. Lamex Omara Apita reads the ruling 

Hon. Mariam Wangadya - Chairperson 

“I have waited for this day for so long,” Alango expressed, her voice trembling with emotion. “I hope this will bring some peace to my son’s spirit and to our family.”