A pastor convicted of defiling a 13-year-old church member was released on Thursday after the Court of Appeal reduced his 20-year prison sentence to 12 years.
Pastor Charles Komakech, then 28, was found guilty of aggravated defilement on November 14, 2013, and sentenced to 20 years. He appealed the sentence, arguing that it was too harsh.
The Court of Appeal, comprised of three justices, agreed and reduced his sentence to 12 years.
According to the prosecution, Komakech sexually assaulted the victim on September 17, 2012, after luring her to his house under the pretense of praying for her. The victim, who attended Komakech’s church, was repeatedly sexually assaulted until they were found in Gulu town in October 2012.
Komakech was subsequently arrested, charged, and convicted. Having served the reduced sentence, Komakech is now free.
