A 45-year-old man, Patrick Okello Katoo, has been sentenced to four years in Pader prison after being found guilty of arson.
Prosecution told court presided over by the Gulu chief magistrate, Francis Dawa Matenga, that Katoo, a resident of Sindi Ward in Amuru Town Council, Amuru District torched a grass thatched hut belonging to Ms Rose Adong.
Court heard that Katoo committed the offence on December 29, 2019, over unclear reasons.
The magistrate read the verdict in Katoo’s absentia having skipped two court hearings on September 24 and October 29 this year.
Mr Matenga sentenced Katoo and immediately issued a warrant of arrest against him.
The law
According to Article 329 of the Penal Code Act, any person who willfully and unlawfully sets fire to or otherwise destroys or damages a building or any properties, commits a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
