HERDS MEN, SUSPECTED CATTLE THIEVES CLASH AT KIRYANDONGO COURT

By Yosam Gucwaki
In Masindi—
There was scuffle between the Bararo of Masindi port and relatives of a suspected cattle thief who appeared before Kyaryandono Grade One magistrate’s court yesterday.
The scuff started after the grade 1 magistrate;Hope Namis, adjourning the cattle theft case up to Wednesday 14th March 2018 for further hearing a decision that did not go well with the Baraaro.
Police led by the OC Kiryandongo police station, Charles Mubala, that had heavily been deployed at Kiryandongo court had to come in and intervene in the matter to separate the two parties who were hallowing insults to each other. Police managed to quell down the situation which was almost becoming violent.
The herds men led by the speaker, Masindi port sub county, Stephen Kambarara, are accusing Jane Kabibi;a mother to one of the five suspects GeoffreyKiiza of being protective to her son who is believed to be a serial cattle thief. It is alleged that Kiiza is a serial cattle thief and whenever he is taken to court, her mother; Jane Kabiibi stands surety for him.
Prosecution told court yesterday that GeoffreyKiiza together, with Frank Ninsima, Hillary Aguma, Eric Ssempija, and Peter Tumwebaze on 13th January 2018 while in Masindi district allegedly broke into Geoffrey Nuwagira’s farm and stole 15 heads of cattle they later sold to Kampala meat packers on 14th January.

All the five suspects denied the charges thus prompting the presiding magistrate Hope Namis to remand them to Kididima Government prison up to Wednesday 14th Mar 2018 when their case will come up again for further hearing.
Stephen Kambarara; the speaker Masindi port sub county, noted that the accused stole 25 head of cattle from a farm in Masindi port but they only acknowledged 14 at police which they later denied while in court.
James Galimaka, the LCI chairperson, WaibangoVillage in Masindi port Sub County, appealed to court to be just and give the five suspects the deserved punishment to deter other people from stealing cattle.
Eric Kahwa, another resident of Masindi port said that in 2016, he lost 23 heads of cattle to thieves, pinning GeoffreyKiiza to be among the people who stole the animals.
Wilson Kiiza, also a resident of Masindi port explained that cattle theft is rampant in Kiryandongo district saying that it is only court that can stop the vice by giving the culprits serious punishments.
Source: www.mknewslink.com; a western Uganda news website.
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