Couple jailed for forcing teenager to eat faeces

court in Lira has sentenced a couple to prison after finding them guilty of forcing a 15-year-old girl to eat human faeces in an incident the court described as degrading and inhuman.

According to a report by Nile Post, Chief Magistrate Joe Fay Adoko convicted Walter Otim, 42, and his wife Collin Otim over the incident that happened at their home in Ireda Lumumba Cell in Lira City.

Court heard that on July 29, 2025, the teenager had gone to a nearby salon to plait her hair. While there, she asked to use a toilet and was directed to an area behind the salon near the couple’s residence.

Prosecutors told court that as the girl returned, Collin intercepted her and forced her back behind the building, where she assaulted her.

Court further heard that Walter later joined his wife and threatened to kill the teenager if she refused to eat faeces found at the scene. Fearing for her safety, the girl complied.

In his ruling, Adoko described the offence as serious and noted that the law provides for a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

“This offence attracts life imprisonment, but this court has taken into account factors such as the age of the convicts and whether they showed remorse,” Adoko ruled.

The prosecution had asked court to hand down a deterrent sentence, arguing that the victim suffered humiliation and psychological trauma.

Walter was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Collin received a three-year jail term.

Court also ordered that the nine months the two had already spent on remand be deducted from their sentences.