Trouble awaits all you buyers of stolen items
Dec 08, 2004
One of the most booming businesses in Uganda today is sale of used goods.<br>Used fridges, cookers, TV sets and other household appliances displayed in front of shops for sale are a common sight.
One of the most booming businesses in Uganda today is sale of used goods.
Used fridges, cookers, TV sets and other household appliances displayed in front of shops for sale are a common sight.
Used motor vehicle parts are also abundant in Kisekka and other markets. Kampala City Council has, on several occasions, impounded stolen streetlights on sale in markets.
The police have made operations on shops selling second-hand goods, especially electronic home appliances. It has been later found that many of these are stolen items. They often find their way back to the shelves and are sold to unsuspecting buyers at give-away prices.
Motorists are probably the most victims of this recycling of stolen property. Some one’s vehicle is vandalised and when the person goes to replace the stolen parts, he is sold the very parts that were stolen from his vehicle.
Sometimes, a motorist goes to buy car parts in Kisekka Market and ends up losing other parts as he is still bargaining. It is then that the thieves bring it to the attention of the customer that even the other parts are missing, and present to him the very parts for him to buy.
Because there is always a ready market, thieves are encouraged to steal and sell mobile phones. Buyers of such phone sets go ahead and tamper with the serial numbers to avoid being caught.
One clear thing is there is a ready market for stolen goods here. It is this market that encourages more thefts.
The law should, therefore, put emphasise punishing buyers of stolen property.
It should be known that the law sets tough penalties for buyers of stolen property.
According to the Penal Code Act, theft carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment while receiving or being found in possession of stolen property is carries 14 years’ imprisonment on conviction.
While the thief may steal to survive, it is assumed that the buyer encourages theft by providing the market and, therefore, deserves a tougher punishment.
It is easy to recognise stolen items because they are usually cheaper compared to the normal market price. The buyer also lacks proof of ownership; no receipts, no agreement.
The only way we can discourage thefts is by not buying stolen property. Those selling stolen items should also have their trading licences cancelled, on top of criminal prosecution. There would be no reason for such thefts if there was no ready market.
Ends
Used fridges, cookers, TV sets and other household appliances displayed in front of shops for sale are a common sight.
Used motor vehicle parts are also abundant in Kisekka and other markets. Kampala City Council has, on several occasions, impounded stolen streetlights on sale in markets.
The police have made operations on shops selling second-hand goods, especially electronic home appliances. It has been later found that many of these are stolen items. They often find their way back to the shelves and are sold to unsuspecting buyers at give-away prices.
Motorists are probably the most victims of this recycling of stolen property. Some one’s vehicle is vandalised and when the person goes to replace the stolen parts, he is sold the very parts that were stolen from his vehicle.
Sometimes, a motorist goes to buy car parts in Kisekka Market and ends up losing other parts as he is still bargaining. It is then that the thieves bring it to the attention of the customer that even the other parts are missing, and present to him the very parts for him to buy.
Because there is always a ready market, thieves are encouraged to steal and sell mobile phones. Buyers of such phone sets go ahead and tamper with the serial numbers to avoid being caught.
One clear thing is there is a ready market for stolen goods here. It is this market that encourages more thefts.
The law should, therefore, put emphasise punishing buyers of stolen property.
It should be known that the law sets tough penalties for buyers of stolen property.
According to the Penal Code Act, theft carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment while receiving or being found in possession of stolen property is carries 14 years’ imprisonment on conviction.
While the thief may steal to survive, it is assumed that the buyer encourages theft by providing the market and, therefore, deserves a tougher punishment.
It is easy to recognise stolen items because they are usually cheaper compared to the normal market price. The buyer also lacks proof of ownership; no receipts, no agreement.
The only way we can discourage thefts is by not buying stolen property. Those selling stolen items should also have their trading licences cancelled, on top of criminal prosecution. There would be no reason for such thefts if there was no ready market.
Ends