The High Court in Kampala has set free a 75-year old man, Ssozi Godfrey after he asked for forgiveness and pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated defilement of his neighbor’s 7-year old child.
The frail Mzee Ssozi who was unable to walk and was just carried to court by his fellow inmate asked High Court Judge Margaret Mutonyi to have mercy on him and release him to go and spend his last days at home.
Court documents show that Ssozi suffers from HIV/AIDs.
Justice Muntonyi has been lenient enough to sentence Mzee Sozi to time spent on remand which is three years having been jailed in November 2021 at the age of 72 years.
Mzee Ssozi also promised the judge never to have sexually assault any other underage girl.
Both Godfrey Ssozi and his colleague, Sam Nyeba were defilement suspects on remand for three years and they were released on the same day after confessing and apologizing for their wrong doing.
“I request for forgiveness and I apologize for the wrongdoing. But my prayer has always been that I be released and be allowed to spend my last days on earth in the hands of my relatives and at home,” said Ssozi, an HIV patient.
They made their separate confessions before the same Judge Mutonyi who is presiding over the ongoing criminal session in Kampala.
Mzee Ssozi, a resident of Bulenga ‘B’ Village in Wakiso District has been on remand since January 2021 following accusations of aggravated defilement until today when he has been convicted on his own volition but set free.
Court documents show that Ssozi confirmed having committed the offense while at the Local Council chairperson and asked for forgiveness before he was taken to police and subsequently charged in court.
Ssozi’s plea moved the presiding Judge Mutonyi to convict but set him free upon considering the three year remand period.
Justice Mutonyi held: “This court hereby releases the convict (Ssozi) based on the ill-health because he is admitted at Luzira Murchison Bay Hospital. He cannot walk by himself without support. Both the convict (Ssozi) and the mother of the victim have reconciled after apologizing and being forgiven.”
75 year old Ssozi Godfrey carried by a fellow prisoner. Photo/ Ruth Anderah.
Court documents further indicate that Ssozi was found with the victim at the scene which led to his arrest by residents and taken to the area local council one chairperson where he (Ssozi ) asked forgiveness with the victim confirming that it was not the first time having sexual intercourse with him.
Justice Mutonyi also set free Nyeba and cautioned him against committing more offenses including claiming for the girl for whom he was imprisoned.
The judge said: “I have released you but do not go back to look for the girl (victim). Do not reclaim the girl despite being of age saying that she is your wife who led to your imprisonment for three years. Do not fight because you will be imprisoned again.”
According to court, Nyeba a resident of Lubyakiro Village in Wakiso District was accused of performing sexual acts with a 17 year old girl with him they had eloped.
Court records show that Nyeba was first charged with the offense of trafficking in persons which was later dropped and substituted with simple defilement for which he has been battling with.
However, when appeared before the judge, the 25-year old pleaded for forgiveness.
Court heard that on October 15 2020, Nyeba defiled a 17 year old girl after the victim disappeared from her home for a full week.
Juliet Kigongo Contributed.
