Soroti school proprietor Ariokot jailed for life over ritual murder of 5-year-old pupil

What the report says

A Soroti High Court has sentenced Suzan Vivian Ariokot, the proprietor of Jozan Nursery and Primary School, to life in prison for the killing of 5-year-old pupil Joan Faith Apio in February 2025, according to The Observer. Her husband, Joseph Okedi, received a 35-year sentence, while police officer John Bosco Obotol was handed 45 years, after the court found them guilty of murder in what prosecutors described as a planned ritual killing.

The newspaper reported that the child was killed at the school on February 5, 2025. Two juveniles, identified in court as A6 and A7, testified for the prosecution after earlier pleading guilty in related proceedings. Their evidence, along with postmortem reports, DNA material and a cutter knife recovered at the scene, was central to the case. The court said the evidence did not sufficiently implicate three other accused persons, who were acquitted.

Justice Boniface Wamala described the offence as exceptionally grave and said the victim suffered severe neck injuries that caused fatal bleeding. He found Ariokot’s role especially disturbing, noted Obotol’s position as a police officer, and said Okedi was involved in planning even if he did not directly carry out the killing. Prosecutors asked for life sentences, arguing the school setting had been turned into a place of violence, while defence lawyers sought leniency by citing remorse and family responsibilities.

The case has drawn attention because it involves a young child, alleged ritual motives and a school environment that parents are expected to view as safe. In Uganda, the judge said such acts should have no place in society.