Ibanda: Banana thieves sentenced to months in prison
The Ibanda chief magistrate’s court has sentenced two men to jail terms at Nyabuhikye Prison for stealing bananas.
Court presided over by his worship Aloysius Natwijuka sentenced Asaph Tumusiime, a resident of Kitwe in Ibanda Municipality to three months in prison by for stealing a bunch of bananas from a neighbour’s plantation while Paul Baryakaijuka, another banana thief was handed six months behind bars by the same court.
Appearing before the court on Wednesday November 23rd , Tumusiime and Baryakaijuka confessed to stealing the bananas which contravenes sections 254 and 261 of the Penal Code Act.
Prosecution led by Ali Ssemakula said that Baryakaijuka stole two bunches of bananas worth UGX 40,000 from Innocent Mugizi’s banana plantation on November 18th.
The convict was arrested with the help of a sniffer dog, which was introduced at the crime scene and led the Police to Baryakaijuka’s home.
He was arrested and taken to Ibanda Police Station and charged accordingly.
Court was told that the other convict (Tumusiime) was caught in the act of stealing one bunch of bananas from Ruth Natukunda of Kitwe in Ibanda Municipality on November 19th and arrested by a guard employed by the plantation owner.
Tumusiime also admitted to the crime before court.
While sentencing the two individuals, his worship Natwijuka said they did not waste court’s time, handing Tumusiime a three-month jail term while Baryakaijuka got six months.
Prosecution had prayed for deterrent sentences, saying banana thefts were rampant in the magisterial area of Ibanda.
Theft attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years.
