Prison warder Anguyo Moses has been convicted of seven serious criminal offences after admitting in the High Court at Kiboga that he murdered four people, robbed two civilians at gunpoint and threatened to kill a senior prison officer during a deadly shooting rampage at Kiboga Government Prison.
Anguyo pleaded guilty to four counts of murder, two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of threatening violence, bringing to an end the trial phase of a case arising from the February 23, 2026 shootings that left four people dead.
The prosecution has asked the court to impose the maximum sentence—death.
The final sentence is expected on September 1, 2026, after the High Court hears from the families of the deceased, the Uganda Prisons Service and members of the affected community.
Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga is presiding over the case.
Deadly confrontation inside prison
According to the prosecution, the violence erupted while Anguyo was deployed at Sentry “A” at Kiboga Government Prison, armed with an SMG rifle identified as No. UG POL 565824781-32635.
The prosecution told court that Anguyo had been found using a mobile phone while on duty, allegedly in breach of prison operational regulations, during a supervisory inspection by SP Ivan Niwagaba and ASP Catherine Hope.
When he was ordered to surrender the firearm, Anguyo allegedly became violent.
Prosecutors said he cocked the weapon and pointed it at SP Niwagaba, before pulling the trigger. The firearm initially malfunctioned, but Anguyo allegedly re-cocked it and fired again, forcing the officer to flee for his life.
What followed was a deadly shooting spree.
The prosecution alleges that Anguyo shot Sarah Ayebare and her infant son, Salson Niwagaba, while they were inside a vehicle within the prison compound.
He also allegedly shot ASP Catherine Hope inside a toilet at the District Health Officer’s premises.
When Principal Officer Akishuri Bright responded to the sound of gunfire, reportedly believing that prisoners were escaping, he too was allegedly shot dead.
The four murder victims identified in the case are ASP Catherine Hope, PO1 Akishuri Bright, Sarah Ayebare and Salson Niwagaba.
From prison gunman to fugitive
After the shootings, Anguyo allegedly abandoned his prison duties and fled the area with the firearm.
Prosecutors said he proceeded to Saza Trading Centre, where he allegedly carried out two aggravated robberies while still armed with the SMG.
He allegedly robbed Katusiime Grace of a pair of black jeans and Nabayiga Mary of an Arsenal jersey.
The seemingly ordinary items of clothing became part of a case involving a fugitive prison officer accused of carrying a loaded government firearm after a deadly attack.
Anguyo allegedly later discarded his prison uniform and abandoned the firearm in a bush in Kibiga Sub-County before escaping from the area.
His flight eventually took him to Arua, from where he crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He was subsequently arrested in Aru during a joint Uganda-DRC operation and brought back to face prosecution.
He also admitted threatening to kill prison boss
Beyond the four murders and two robberies, Anguyo pleaded guilty to a separate charge of threatening violence arising from allegations that he threatened to shoot or kill SP Ivan Niwagaba.
The seven guilty pleas have now resulted in convictions on all the charges before the High Court.
With liability no longer in dispute, the case has moved to the most consequential stage: sentencing.
Prosecution wants death penalty
During Monday’s proceedings, both the prosecution and defence made submissions relevant to sentencing.
The prosecution urged the court to impose the maximum penalty of death, citing the gravity of the offences.
The defence, meanwhile, made its own submissions for consideration by the court before sentence is delivered.
The court will also hear from the victims’ families, the Uganda Prisons Service and the wider community before determining the appropriate punishment.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
The prosecution is being led by Dr Daisy Nabasitu, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, and Stephen Arion, Senior State Attorney.
Anguyo is represented by Swaibu Male and Cate Nakamya.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the conviction represents an important step towards securing justice for the four people killed in the incident and addressing the alleged threats against SP Niwagaba.
The case has also exposed the potentially devastating consequences of a prison officer going rogue while armed with a government-issued firearm—turning a routine supervisory confrontation into a deadly chain of violence, robbery and a cross-border manhunt.
The High Court now has the final word on how Anguyo will pay for the seven offences to which he has admitted guilt.
