Thomas Mujuni, a familiar face in Ibanda town known for vending herbal medicines, found himself in court after being accused of stealing a customer’s smartphone. The incident occurred on January 20, 2024, when Mujuni sold a cough remedy to Joselyne Twongyeirwe, a tailor in Bubaare cell, Bufunda division.
Twongyeirwe testified before the Ibanda Grade One Magistrate’s Court, alleging that after purchasing the herbal remedy, she experienced nasal irritation, leading to sneezing. She recounted leaving her smartphone on a table in her shop and discovering it missing upon her return. Attempts to contact her phone revealed that Mujuni was in possession of it but remained silent when calls were answered.
The missing smartphone, valued at shillings 420,000, also contained shillings 37,000 kept under the phone cover. Mujuni was later apprehended at the Saza bi-weekly market by the police and charged accordingly. While the suspect admitted to the possession of the telephone during police questioning, he denied any involvement in the theft when cross-examined.
The case, which falls under sections 254(i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act, pertains to theft and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment upon conviction. The court adjourned the proceedings until February 27, 2024, to allow for further examination of prosecution witnesses and deliberation on the matter.
