DPP Confirms Man Arrested at Parliament With Child’s Head Was Convicted and Is Serving 35-Year Sentence
KAMPALA, Uganda – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has clarified that Joseph Nuwashaba, the man whose arrest at Parliament while carrying a child’s severed head shocked the nation, was convicted in 2024 and is currently serving a 35-year prison sentence.
The clarification comes amid recent reports suggesting that the case remained unresolved and that official records regarding the prosecution were missing.
In a statement released on Monday, the ODPP dismissed those claims, stating that the matter was fully investigated, prosecuted, and concluded in accordance with Uganda’s criminal justice system.
High Court Convicted Nuwashaba in 2024
According to the prosecution office, Nuwashaba was convicted by Justice Lawrence Tweyanze of the High Court in Masaka on March 11, 2024.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions hereby clarifies that Nuwashaba Joseph was convicted and sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment by Hon. Justice Lawrence Tweyanze at the High Court in Masaka on March 11, 2024,” the ODPP said.
The prosecution stated that Nuwashaba was found guilty of the murder and aggravated defilement of Faith Kyamagero, a four-year-old girl from Masaka District.
Gruesome Crime Shocked Uganda
Court records indicate that on September 13, 2020, Nuwashaba sexually assaulted and murdered the child in Kijjabwemi A Ward, Masaka District.
The following day, he reportedly travelled to Kampala carrying the child’s severed head concealed in a package. Upon arriving at Parliament, he allegedly informed security officers that he had brought a gift for the Speaker of Parliament.
His unusual behaviour raised suspicion among security personnel, prompting a search that led to the discovery of the child’s remains and his immediate arrest.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage and attracted widespread public attention due to its horrific nature and the circumstances surrounding the attempted entry into Parliament.
Trial and Sentencing
Investigators later established that Nuwashaba had worked as a casual labourer at the victim’s family home in Masaka.
Following his arrest, he was charged and arraigned before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court before being committed to the High Court for trial on January 5, 2021.
The ODPP said Nuwashaba appeared before Justice Tweyanze on March 11, 2024, where he pleaded guilty to both charges.
“He was convicted and sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment on each count, with the sentences running concurrently,” the prosecution office stated.
Sentence Reduced to Account for Time on Remand
The court also considered the time Nuwashaba had already spent on remand before conviction.
According to the ODPP, he had spent three years, four months, and 17 days in custody awaiting trial. That period was deducted from his sentence, leaving him with approximately 31 years and six months remaining to serve.
ODPP Verifies Prison Status
The ODPP further revealed that it had consulted the Uganda Prisons Service to verify Nuwashaba’s incarceration status.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has conferred with the Uganda Prisons Service and ascertained that Nuwashaba Joseph is serving his prison sentence,” the statement noted.
The prosecution office emphasized that the case was handled transparently and in accordance with Uganda’s legal procedures.
“His trial was conducted in open court and was witnessed by members of the public. The case was concluded in accordance with the laid-down criminal law and procedure of Uganda,” the ODPP added.
Clarification Ends Speculation
The ODPP’s statement effectively settles questions raised by recent media reports regarding the status of one of Uganda’s most disturbing criminal cases in recent years.
The prosecution office reiterated that the matter was fully concluded and that the convicted offender remains in prison serving the sentence imposed by the High Court.
