20-year-old man convicted for stealing UGX 450,000 from boss
Grade One magistrate’s court in Ibanda has sentenced a 20-year-old man to three months in prison for stealing his boss’ money.
While appearing before her worship Esther Murungi on February 20th, Richard Nkamuhebwa was convicted after he confessed to the court that he transferred UGX 450,000 from Francis Nampa’s mobile telephone to his friend’s mobile wallet on January 15th.
After he pleaded guilty to the crime, the magistrate sentenced the convict to serve a three-month prison term, less of the time spent on remand at Nyabuhikye Prison. The convict had spent 21 days on remand.
The convict, who hails from Rwemikoma in Kazo, was at the time of the theft working at Jeeb’s Bakery along Kyereta Road in Ibanda town.
Prosecution led by Tian Emmanuel had prayed to court to order the convict to refund UGX 410,000 to the complainant, saying only UGX 40,000 of the stolen cash was recovered from him.
While reading the sentence, the magistrate said Nkamuhebwa seemed remorseful and asked for forgiveness from the complainant.
Her Worship Murungi added that she was convinced the three months jail sentence would enable him to fully reform.
During the same sitting, court also charged a herbalist, Thomas Mujuni, for allegedly stealing a client’s mobile telephone valued at UGX 420,000 and UGX 37,000 cash that she had kept under the cover of the mobile device.
Joselyne Twongyeirwe, a tailor in Bubaare cell, Bufunda Division in Ibanda Municipality, told the court, that the suspect went to her workshop, where he sold her a cough herbal remedy that irritated her nose, causing a lot of sneezing.
She moved to one side of the shop to sneeze and left her telephone on the table, but it was no longer there when she returned and the accused had also disappeared.
He was sighted at Saza bi-weekly market days later, arrested and taken to Police. During the court session, the suspect denied knowing the complainant or the telephone he is accused of stealing.
The court adjourned the case until February 27 for further hearing of the prosecution witnesses.
Theft contravenes section 254(i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act and carries up to 10 years when one is found guilty.
