Three suspected robbers have been sentenced to ten years in jail by the army court marshal in Masindi, just one week after they were arrested with a gun.
Isaac Okwaimungu, Francis Magambo and Lemi Jodena are residents of Kicwabugingo village, Kiryandongo sub-county in Masindi district. They were arrested with a Sub-machine Gun on July 25 this year while planning to carry out a robbery at Bweyale Trading centre.
The riffle Registration number UD 9575-1998 was loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition.
For Okwaimungu, he had on July 16 this year escaped from Masindi government prison where he was serving for 4years for an earlier case of unlawfully possession of a gun.
Appearing before the field artillery and air defense court marshal, the three youths pleaded guilty to the charges.
In his ruling, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Kyambadde, the chairman of the court marshal sentenced each of them to 10 years, a maximum sentence for unlawful possession of a riffle.
Lt. Col. Kyambadde said he had arrived at this considering that there are very many crimes of similar nature in Kibanda County and appreciated that the suspects had not wasted court's time.
He also said court is convinced that being young, the punishment will act as deterrent to them and the public. Court advised that, if they so wish, they can appeal in the general court marshal within 14 days.
Five of the seventeen treason suspects arrested in Murchison falls national park last year also appeared before the same court and revealed their individual roles in the rebellion, a condition set by the amnesty commission.
Flanked by their lawyer Willy Lubega, Odaga Awonga told court that he was the 3rd division administration officer, while James Ochama said he was the commanding officer of the training wing.
Ocham Giu testified how he was a rebel guide in the park, arising from his experience as a former poacher. Odong Gui said he was store-man for medicine and food, while Onen chan was the overall purchasing officer. They also revealed that their rebel group was called Uganda Peoples Army.
They were due to be freed on Friday last week, but amnesty commission ruled that each of them should explain individually of their roles in the rebellion. It is upon what they tell court that will be based on to whether or not to grant them amnesty.
