The Nwoya Grade One Magistrate’s court has convicted and sentenced a 22-year-old man, Ronald Odong alias Felix, over possession of a marked Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) military poncho.
Odong, a resident of Lapem village in Koch Goma sub-county, Nwoya district was arrested after he returned home donned in military fatigue on the night of March 22, 2023.
The attire left his younger brother with whom he shares a grass thatched hut scared; forcing him to inform their father, who in turn informed the area village chairperson that tipped off the police leading to Odong’s arrest and detention on March 25, 2023, at Koch Goma police station.
Appearing before Magistrate Susan Ayeko, Odong pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to three months in Nwoya government prison.
The convict acted contrary to Section 316(1) of the Penal Code Act on unlawful possession of government stores.
Meanwhile, the same court sentenced a 25-year-old man to Nwoya government prison after he was found guilty of stealing a Bajaj motorcycle.
Prosecution told court that Gideon Oyak, a resident of Pudyek sub-ward in Anaka town council, Nwoya district went to Te-tido boda-boda stage in Anaka town council where he hired the motorcycle registration number UFP 886G from Michael Ocaya alias Otong.
In the terms of the hire, Oyak said he was rushing to his home in Mission ward where he would not spend long without returning the motorcycle.
Contrary to his verbal agreement, Oyak rode off to Gulu city from where he was apprehended attempting to sell off the Shs7m-motorcycle at Shs1.2m.
He was taken to Nwoya police station where charges of theft were preferred against him.
Appearing before Magistrate Anyeko on April 22, 2023, Oyak pleaded guilty to the crime and asked for leniency to serve a one-year-jail term.
However, the magistrate sentenced him to a three-year-imprisonment for contravening Section 254 (1) and 256 of the Penal Code Act.
“It’s unfortunate that motorcycle theft is becoming the order of the day with the thieves and robbers’ target being getting things on a silver platter. I hope by the time Oyak comes back from prison, he shall have learnt the hard way of earning things through such that he becomes a responsible citizen,” Ms Anyeko said while reading the verdict.
