Court reduces murder convict’s life sentence to 35 years

KAMPALA - The Court of Appeal has reduced the life imprisonment sentence of a man who robbed and stabbed a bodaboda rider to death to 35 years in jail.

In a judgment dated March 4, 2026, a panel comprising justices Geoffrey Kiryabwire, Ketrah Kitariisibwa Katunguka and Cornelia Kakooza Sabiiti set aside the life sentence imposed on Levi Lubwama.

The justices ruled that the trial judge placed undue emphasis on the aggravating factors and failed to adequately consider the mitigating circumstances before handing down the life sentence.

Lubwama was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019 after pleading guilty to charges of murder and aggravated robbery. He, however, appealed against the sentence only.

Court records indicate that on August 31, 2016, at about 5:00pm in Luzira Zone 9, Nakawa Division in Kampala district, Lubwama robbed Baker Kagumaho of motorcycle registration number UED 660L and two mobile phones; an Itel handset (serial number 358933058993601) and another phone with IMEI number 864113021434127.

The prosecution said Lubwama used a deadly weapon, a knife, and killed Kagumaho during and after the robbery.

In reviewing the matter, the appellate court considered the current sentencing range for murder and the fact that the case involved two counts of murder and aggravated robbery.

The justices resentenced Lubwama to 35 years’ imprisonment on both counts.

After deducting the period he spent on remand, the court ruled that Lubwama will serve 31 years, four months and 13 days in prison, effective October 10, 2019, the date of his conviction.

In their ruling, the justices described the life sentence as illegal, manifestly excessive and harsh in the circumstances of the case.

They emphasised that courts are required to uphold the principle of consistency in sentencing as provided for under Sentencing Principle No. 6(c) of the Constitution (Sentencing Guidelines for Courts of Judicature) Practice Directions, 2013 Legal Notice No. 8 of 2013.

The principle requires courts to take into account the need for consistency with appropriate sentencing levels and other means of dealing with offenders convicted of similar offences committed in similar circumstances.