Ibanda: Watchman sentenced to community service over assault
Ibanda Grade One magistrate’s court has sentenced a night watchman to five days of community service and payment of UGX 100,000 after he pleaded guilty to the offence of causing bodily harm.
On September 18, 2022 about 8pm, Andrew Kato, 20, beat Luka Muhamya with a beer bottle on the left cheek, and injured him while on Kasuku Road in Bufunda Ibanda Municipality, as the teen was going home.
Kato, a watchman in Ibanda town, who has been on remand at Nyabuhikye Prison, pleaded guilty to the charges while appearing before the Grade One magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
Her worship Esther Murungi subsequently convicted and sentenced Kato to five hours of community service to run for five days.
She also ordered him to pay the victim UGX 100,000 within a month as compensation for costs incurred during treatment.
According to the prosecution, the medical exam by Bufunda HCIII revealed that the victim sustained bodily harm caused by a blunt object.
Murungi explained that Kato was remorseful and “must have learnt his lesson during the over three months he spent on remand.”
Ibanda Central Police station recorded 254 assault cases during 2021, with the months of March and August recording the highest incidents at 41 and 26, respectively.