Gulu teen jailed four years for theft of father's goat

By Dennis Ojwee 

A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to a four-year jail term after he pleaded guilty to theft.

A person who commits theft is liable to seven years imprisonment upon conviction according to section 254 (1) and 261 of the Penal Code.

Isaac Okello, a resident of Oluba village in Koc-Ongako sub-county, Omoro County in Gulu district was on Monday convicted by the Gulu Chief Magistrate, Paul Owino Abandonson.

Prosecution told court that Okello on September 30, 2014 stole a goat valued at sh75,000 reared by his father. He slaughtered the animal and buried the meat after realizing that his act had been noticed.

In defence Okello told the court that his father had refused to give him a goat which he could sell and use the money to solve his problem.

Okello was sent to Gulu Central Prison where he is expected to serve his sentence.

The magistrate turned a deaf ear to Okello’s plea to be pardoned saying that theft is a serious crime that should never be condoned by Ugandan courts.