Teacher seeks leniency over attempted sodomy
Godfrey Muwumuza, a teacher at Kabojja Junior School in the dock at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court on May 9, 2025. PHOTO/JULIET KIGONGO
What you need to know:
- Godfrey Muwumuza, who has now spent more than a month at Luzira Prison, is seeking a plea bargain.
A 43-year-old city primary school teacher accused of attempted aggravated homosexuality and indecent assault of a schoolboy during a school trip has admitted to the offences and is asking for leniency.
Godfrey Muwumuza of Kabojja Junior School in Kololo, Kampala, who has now spent more than a month at Luzira Prison, is seeking a plea bargain.
Plea bargain is a justice system where an accused admits the alleged offence and in return is handed a lenient sentence on conviction.
Muwumuza is facing two charges of attempted aggravated homosexuality, and indecent assault on a boy under 18 years, contrary to provisions of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, and the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.
Plea for leniency
When the case came up for hearing before the Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi, Muwumuza sought a plea bargain through his lawyers, who presented a letter dated June 18, 2025.
“Our client voluntarily expresses his willingness to accept responsibility and enter into a plea bargain agreement with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in respect of the above-mentioned charges. This application is made in the interest of justice, expediency, judicial economy, and in pursuit of an outcome that upholds fairness, rehabilitation, and acknowledgment of accountability,” the letter read in part.
Muwumuza’s lawyers also requested the court and the ODPP to note this intent and adjourn the intended hearing to facilitate plea bargain talks under the court and prosecution’s supervision.
“Should your offices require a written consent or affidavit from the accused and our proposal and or input, we are happy to facilitate and furnish the same. We are available for a scheduling conference at your earliest convenience,” the letter further read.
The court took a short break to allow mediation and upon reconvening, the prosecution, led by Mr Ivan Kyazze, informed the court that the process was progressing well and requested an adjournment to June 23, as agreed by both parties. The trial chief magistrate then adjourned the matter to June 23 to allow for the plea bargain process to be concluded.
How it happened
Court documents show that the alleged incident occurred between Kampala and Mbarara on May 4, and 5, 2025, while Muwumuza and a group of Kabojja Junior School pupils were returning from a trip to western Uganda. It is alleged that Muwumuza, as a teacher and person of authority, attempted to perform a sexual act on an 11-year-old male pupil.
The court documents indicate that while the pupils were returning from the school trip, Muwumuza allegedly asked the minor to give him with a torch, and in the process of handing it to him, the teacher grabbed the boy’s hand and forced it toward his genitals, initiating a sexual act.
The attempt was reportedly interrupted when another pupil walked out, causing the accused to momentarily release the victim.
The same documents show that Muwumuza later resumed his inappropriate behaviour aboard the school bus. He is alleged to have sat next to the same pupil and repeatedly grabbed his hand, again attempting to force the child to touch his private parts.
The victim, feeling increasingly unsafe, changed seats and moved to a different section of the bus. But Muwumuza reportedly followed him and continued the same actions.
The victim then used his phone to send a message via WhatsApp to his mother, detailing the abuse he was experiencing. The mother, upon receiving the message, promptly reported the incident to police authorities that swift intervened, leading to the arrest of Muwumuza.
During the police interrogation, a charge-and-caution statement was obtained from Muwumuza.
Background
Under the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, attempted aggravated homosexuality is a capital offence when it involves a minor, repeated offences, or persons in positions of authority. Conviction can lead to life imprisonment.
Section 128 of Uganda’s Penal Code Act criminalises indecent assault on persons under 18 years. If convicted, the offender faces up to 14 years in prison.
Plea bargaining allows an accused person to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence. The process must be voluntary and approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the court.
