Jinja High Court Resident Judge, Dr Winfred Nabisinde on Tuesday August 1, 2023 sentenced Pastor Joseph Sserubiri of Kakira Deliverance and Healing Ministries to life imprisonment for Murder. He was also sentenced to 30 years for child trafficking.
Last week, prosecution adduced reasonable evidence beyond doubt against Sserubiri.
Realizing that he couldn’t deny, the pastor pleaded guilty for child trafficking and murder before High Court Judge.
The judge then set August 1, 2023 as the day for passing her sentences on the two counts.
While earning him the sentence, the trial judge said this should serve as an example to those who intend to engage into similar acts of child sacrifice.
The judge also said the punishment should as well serve as a deterrent measure to the evil of rampant cases of witch craft in Busoga sub region.
In her judgement, Justice Nabisinde revealed that the facts stated that the convict had a dream in September 2021 where a big Male snake with a human head bearing the face of Pastor Ismail Buyinza appeared before him and he appeared receiving visions of the same nature, he was at a spot where he was a Pastor and in that Vision he heard a voice which continued calling him that he should sacrifice a human being regardless of any sex and age.
Upon seeking guidance from his wife Felista Namaganda and his spiritual father Pastor Ismail Buyinza they both consented that he should do what God told him which prompted him to kill the minor.
The trial Judge observed that cases of ritual murder and witchcraft are rampant in Busoga subregion the reason she has given a sentence of 30 years in prison for Child trafficking and life imprisonment for murder to serve as deterrent measure to those who are harbouring plans of committing similar crimes.
She also noted that the Pastor’s act was a well orchestrated plan for self agrandisement which puts the Christianity faith into disrepute.
Pastor Joseph Sserubiri was arrested on 6th Dec 2021 alongside his wife Felista Namaganda and his spiritual father Pastor Ismail Buyinza of Deliverance and Healing Ministries Nansana Gganda following the ritual murder of 6-year-old girl, Trinity Nakisuuyi.
The trio was charged of child trafficking and murder, however though Pastor Joseph Sserubiri pleaded guilty of the two counts his coaccused declined.
Justice Winfred Nabisinde has set 18th August this year as commencement date for the hearing of charges against the Felista Namaganda and Ismael Buyinza
