Defence witnesses withdraw from Joan Apio murder trial over fear

What the report says

The trial of six people accused of killing Joan Faith Apio in Soroti, Uganda, was delayed on Friday after the defence said it would no longer call any witnesses. According to The Independent Uganda’s report, the accused told the Soroti High Court that potential witnesses had withdrawn because they feared for their safety and livelihoods.

Instead of live testimony, the defence said it would rely on CCTV footage and other documents. Their lawyers said they were seeking video from Pride Bank, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and a shop linked to one of the accused, Suzan Vivian Ariokot Okedi, to support an alibi and challenge prosecution evidence. The defence also said some witnesses feared public backlash and job-related consequences if they testified.

Justice Boniface Wamala, the resident judge, granted what he described as a final adjournment and directed the defence to return on Monday, August 10, 2026, with all remaining evidence. The six accused include school directors Joseph Okedi and Suzan Vivian Ariokot Okedi, headteacher James Edoket, cook Valentine Opio, matron Osula Adong and police officer John Bosco Obotol.

Apio, a Primary One pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, was found dead in a school latrine on February 5, 2025. The court had earlier ruled that the prosecution had presented enough evidence for the accused to answer the charges. The case remains closely watched because it involves a child death, school officials and allegations that have drawn public attention in eastern Uganda.