Dar es Salaam, Oct. 23 -- MUSOMA: THE Court of Appeal has upheld the murder convictions of six individuals responsible for the brutal massacre of 17 family members in Musoma Municipality in 2010.

Justices Gerald Ndika, Mary Levira and Panterene Kente ruled against the appellants, including Juma Mugaya (alias Mugaya Jumanne Masemele) and Aloyce Nyakumu (alias Diwani), after dismissing all grounds of appeal they raised against the High Courts judgment in Musoma.

The other appellants included Nyakangara Biraso (alias James Mgaya Magigi), Nyakangara Mgaya (alias Robert Boniphace), Sadock Ikaka (alias Nyabugimbi Nyakumu) and Kumbata Buruai (alias Bwire Alex George).

The justices upheld the death sentences for the appellants, with the except...