Ibanda, Uganda – An 18-year-old young man, Crinmer Musheruzi, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Ibanda Chief Magistrate’s Court for stealing 95 kilograms of dry coffee (kiboko) from his neighbor, Kenneth Katabazi.
Musheruzi, a resident of Kishabo Central, Kanywambogo in Rukiri sub-county, Ibanda South County, was found guilty of the theft which occurred on May 12. He had confessed to stealing the coffee with an accomplice, Robert, who remains at large. The two sold the stolen coffee at Kihumuro trading center, but Musheruzi claimed that Robert absconded with all the proceeds.
The court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Winfred Naigaga Kyobiika, did not find Musheruzi’s plea for leniency persuasive. “I convict you on your own plea of guilty for theft contrary to section 254 (i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act…You are hereby sentenced to three years in prison,” stated the magistrate.
Theft under these sections carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. State prosecutor Ali Ssemakula had earlier called for a strict sentence, highlighting the rampant coffee thefts in the Ibanda area. Despite Musheruzi being a first-time offender and not wasting the court’s time, Ssemakula emphasized the importance of a deterrent to discourage similar crimes.
Katabazi recounted how he left the coffee to dry while attending church and later received a call from his father reporting the theft. Despite efforts to locate the thieves, it was a boda boda rider who tipped off Katabazi about Musheruzi and Robert’s involvement in transporting the stolen coffee. The police intervened, arresting Musheruzi, though Robert had already fled.
Musheruzi will serve his sentence at Nyabuhikye Prison. It remains to be seen whether he will learn from his time in prison and potentially benefit from the vocational training programs available there.
