Arms trafficker jailed for eight years

Oct 24, 2009

THE UPDF 3rd Division Court Martial has sentenced a 34-year-old arms trafficker to eight years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms.

By Daniel Edyegu

THE UPDF 3rd Division Court Martial has sentenced a 34-year-old arms trafficker to eight years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms.

The court, presided over by Lt. Eugene Ssebugwawo at Bugema army garrison on Wednesday, found Daniel Kibet guilty of possessing sub-machine guns and ammunition without a license.

Kibet, who looked composed while Ssebugwawo read the ruling, will serve the sentence in Malukhu prisons.

The UPDF apprehended Kibet with three SMG guns and 300 rounds of ammunition stuffed in three sacks of maize at Napedet in Nabilatuk sub-county, along the Mbale-Nakapiripirit Road on December 19, 2007.

In a Police statement, Kibet said he was taking the guns to three businessmen, including a UPDF officer only identified as Tabu, in Amudat for sale to Pokot warriors in Kenya.

Prior to the ruling, the defence lawyer, Lt. Dan Madaba, requested the court for leniency while passing the sentence. He argued that Kibet had been under detention for two years and was a first-time offender.

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