In a recent court decision in Kampala, Jackson Ssewanyana, famously known as Uncle Money, and Benson Ssenyonga have been sentenced to four years in jail for causing the death of Siraje Akim Tumusiime, a former mechanic in Kasubi Zone Four. Tumusiime passed away on August 16th, 2019, a few days after facing mob justice.
During the trial, it was revealed that Uncle Money had physically confronted the deceased, dragging him towards Royal Hotel in Kasubi before handing him over to a mob led by Ssenyonga. The mob proceeded to strip and assault the deceased with electricity cables, despite his pleas for mercy. The court emphasized that both Uncle Money and Ssenyonga, who held positions in the village, should have upheld the law but chose to engage in the brutal treatment that led to the death of Tumusiime. The court condemned the barbaric nature of the killing.
As a result of this judgment, Uncle Money and Ssenyonga have been sentenced to a four-year jail term. The court has also ordered the refund of the Shillings 2 million they had deposited as security for their bail. The convicts have the option to appeal the decision in a higher court if they are dissatisfied with the judgment.
The State Prosecutor, Timothy Amerit, had initially requested a 30-year jail sentence for the convicts, citing the prevalence of mob justice in society. In contrast, the convicts’ lawyer, Robert Kasozi, argued for a lenient sentence, considering their roles as sole breadwinners for their families and their status as first-time offenders. The Magistrate took these factors into account when delivering the sentence.
Joan Natukunda, Tumusiime’s widow, expressed her dissatisfaction with the sentence, stating that she believed Uncle Money should spend the rest of his life in jail to share the suffering she and her children are enduring. She emphasized that her family’s circumstances have become more challenging since her husband’s passing.
