Uganda v. Seruga

The three defendants were indicted for the murder of Nabwire Harriet and Nakamate Gaita, an infant. August 27, 2002, the family received an anonymous letter telling them to leave their house, which they reported to authorities. The next night, the defendants poured petrol through the window and set the house on fire. Defendant Seruga hired the other two defendants to burn the house because they believed they family was practicing witchcraft. The defendants were seen together the night of the fire and heard discussing how they committed the crime afterwards. After their arrest, the defendants confessed to working together to set the fire, which they recanted at arraignment. The trial court found them guilty and sentenced the three to death, but vacated the second death sentences for the second victim because an execution cannot be carried out twice.