Overview:
After committing the murders, Opiyo reportedly ran to the home of the LC1 Vice Chairperson of Wii-Layibi Cell while carrying the blood-stained panga and confessed to the killings.
The High Court in Gulu has sentenced a 36-year-old man to 35 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the double murder of two biological brothers in Gulu City.
Resident Judge Lilian Alum Omara sentenced Emmanuel Opiyo on Thursday evening after his conviction on two counts of murder.
Opiyo admitted to killing Daniel Okema, 25, and Stephen Oloya, 18, both residents of Aringorwot Cell, Techo Ward, Bardege-Layibi Division, on February 4, 2026. Okema was a motorcycle taxi rider, and Oloya was a student.
The conviction followed a plea bargain arrangement in which Opiyo pleaded guilty without opting for a trial. Plea bargaining is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism aimed at reducing lengthy trial processes, case backlogs in courts, and attracting a lighter jail sentence.
The court heard that on the night of February 3, 2026, the deceased brothers, who shared the same father but had different mothers, went to watch an English Premier League match at Akwo Legacy Resort. The match reportedly started at 11 p.m. and ended at about 1:30 a.m.
According to the prosecution, Okema rode his motorcycle back home carrying his brother and the convict Opiyo. They stopped at a brick-making site in Aringorwot Cell, where three individuals, Vallen Chopi, Ivan Ogonya, and Nelson Anywar, were tending a kiln. The brothers joined them in carrying firewood to fuel the kiln, while Opiyo stood nearby.
At around 3 a.m., Opiyo picked up a panga that was being used to cut firewood and suddenly attacked Stephen Oloya, cutting him on the neck. The other individuals fled for their lives. The court heard that Opiyo pursued Oloya to a nearby stream where he fell, and the attacker hacked him several more times.
The convict then turned on Daniel Okema, catching up with him and cutting him on the back of the head and neck. The prosecution said both brothers pleaded for mercy, but Opiyo showed none.
After committing the murders, Opiyo reportedly ran to the home of the LC1 Vice Chairperson of Wii-Layibi Cell while carrying the blood-stained panga and confessed to the killings.
Although both victims were found still conscious and identified Opiyo as their attacker to local leaders and neighbors, they succumbed to their injuries. Sunday morning from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
Postmortem examinations conducted by Dr. Onen JJ Olwedo and Dr. Brian Jemba, the Aswa West Regional Police Pathologist, indicated that the brothers died of severe sharp-force head trauma.
A mental health assessment carried out on Opiyo on February 6 by Dr. Olwedo found him to be a person of sound mind.
Opiyo appeared visibly distressed when shown photographs of the deceased, shaking his head in apparent disbelief.
Opiyo told the court he had not intended to kill the brothers, claiming something “abruptly” came over his mind. He denied being intoxicated and asked the court for forgiveness.
In her submissions on aggravating factors, the state prosecutor described the murders as gruesome and violent, noting that the victims were young men with promising futures.
“The accused had no justified reason for committing the murders without any proof of provocation. The families of the deceased are deeply troubled and grieving,” the prosecutor told the court.The prosecutor had suggested that a strong sentence would serve as a deterrent amid rising cases of murder in the community.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Richard Oceng told the court that Opiyo voluntarily surrendered to authorities, was a first-time offender, and had shown genuine remorse.
“He is still a young man with the possibility of reforming,” Oceng submitted.
In her ruling, Justice Alum said a 35-year jail sentence on each count of murder was appropriate. She ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning Opiyo will serve 35 years in prison at Gulu Main Prison. She noted that no time would be deducted since the convict had not been on remand.
The judge informed the convict of his right to appeal if he is dissatisfied with the sentence.
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