By Edward Anyoli
SEVEN men indicted for defilement have been sentenced to a caution by the High Court.
Justice Edmund Lugayizi cautioned Federi Byamukama, Dominic Balaba, Fred Oweyesigire, Diro Ndabanangi, Robert Serujjo, Edward Kawesa and John Sekabira after they admitted to court that they committed the crime.
Lugayizi convicted Steven Zanalambaho and Ronald Tabula to five years each and Wilfred Oloki to a suspended sentence where police will monitor him.
He sentenced the convicts after lawyer Gerald Ssensuwa asked for leniency saying, “My lord, these are young people. I am praying for mercy for them because the period they spent on remand has reformed them.”
Lugayizi sentenced them to a caution saying, “You have all been fortunate today, I don’t think you will be fortunate next time. live a very careful life as you go out and stop meddling with young girls.”
The suspects admitted to defiling girls between 13 and 16 years.
They committed the offences between 2001 and 2004 in the districts of Mpigi, Mubende, and Wakiso. State Attorney Albert Mooli is prosecuting the suspects that did not plead guilty to defilement.
Mooli said 90 suspects indicted for defilement would appear before Lugayizi soon.
Lugayizi early last week sentenced nine men accused of defilement to a caution. The hearing continues on Monday.
Ends