Ibanda: Court Sentences 2 Men for Shop Breaking and Theft
The Ibanda Grade One Magistrate’s Court has sentenced two individuals to significant periods of incarceration for the offenses of shop breaking and theft.
Frank Bagumirabingi and Ambrose Dembe, both residents of Bufunda cell in Bufunda Division, Ibanda Municipality, were sentenced by Her Worship Magistrate Esther Murungi. Bagumirabingi, 28, received a sentence of 28 months for shop breaking and an additional 28 months for theft, to be served consecutively. Dembe, 24, was sentenced to nine months for each count, also to be served consecutively.
The custodial sentences will be reduced by the eight months the convicts had already spent on remand at Nyabuhikye Prison, as stipulated by the court.
It is notable that the sentences imposed were significantly less than those sought by the prosecution. Prosecutor, Tian Emmanuel had argued for the maximum allowable sentences of eight years for shop breaking and ten years for theft for each defendant.
Both defendants were found guilty of breaking into the shop owned by Henry Biryomumaisho on Mpiira Road in Ibanda Town on January 27 from which they stole several items, including a television set, sugar, rice, salt and cooking oil.
Following the sentencing, Biryomumaisho, the complainant expressed that he found the sentences to be “fair.”
