LIRA, UGANDA – High Court in Lira has sentenced Paul Mugerwa, 32, to a total of 60 years in prison for the murder and aggravated robbery of renowned ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist Dr. Wilfred Olila, a lecturer at Soroti University.
The sentence was delivered on Monday, April 13, 2026, by Lady Justice Sarah Birungi Kalibbala. Mugerwa received 40 years for murder and an additional 20 years for aggravated robbery.
However, the court deducted the 1 year and 23 days Mugerwa has already spent on remand. This means he will effectively serve 38 years, 11 months, and 7 days for murder, and 18 years, 11 months, and 7 days for aggravated robbery. Because the sentences will run concurrently, Mugerwa will spend a total of 38 years, 11 months, and 7 days in prison.
Mugerwa had pleaded guilty to all charges on February 24, 2026. The case was initially adjourned for sentencing on March 4, 2026, then moved again to March 20, 2026 (Idd day), before finally concluding on April 13.
According to the prosecution, Mugerwa lured Dr. Olila from his Moroto Clinic in Lira City. The respected physician was kidnapped near Lira Hotel in the Senior Quarters area, robbed of his money and phone, and then strangled.
Dr. Olila’s body was discovered on January 17, 2025, along the Otuboi–Abalanga Road in Ogolai Village, Kalaki District. A post-mortem examination confirmed strangulation as the cause of death. Investigators later tracked Mugerwa down after he fled to Gomba District.
Retired Major Emmy Johnson Opio, who helped track the killers, welcomed the verdict.
"This sentence is welcome, but our work is not done. There are two more suspects still at large, but they will be arrested any time," said Maj. Opio. "No one should murder anybody—that is a bad thing. I will fulfill my promise of hunting down every killer of Dr. Olila."
Police initially arrested 11 suspects. Seven were released due to lack of evidence. Several others were charged and remanded, but upon committal to the High Court, some were freed. This left Mugerwa and three other suspects to face trial on charges including murder and aggravated robbery. Those three other suspects were sent back to prison to await a date for the mention of the charges against them.
Dr. Olila was a respected otolaryngologist who also worked at Lira Regional Referral Hospital and lectured at Soroti University. His brutal death sparked widespread outrage, with the Uganda Medical Association condemning the killing and demanding swift justice.
