Woman sentenced to four years for stealing baby

Oct 15, 2013

Court in Mukono has convicted a 26-year old woman who pleaded guilty to stealing a one-day old baby girl and was sentenced to four years in prison.

By Henry Nsubuga

Court in Mukono has convicted a 26-year old woman who pleaded guilty to stealing a one-day old baby girl and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Diana Katushabe, a resident of Kisoga village in Nakisunga Sub County in Mukono District, appeared before Grade One magistrate Roselyn Nsenge and pleaded guilty to stealing the baby from Mukono Health Center IV.

Prosecution led by Rachael Nabwire told court that Katushabe stole the baby on August 29 from the attendant, Kate Namwase, who had been sent to take her for immunization.

The baby belonged to Brenda Namugaya (22) and Geoffrey Nyongesa who are residents of Ngandu village in Mukono Central Division.

Katushabe later told court that she lied to her husband, Robert Mutebi, that she had given birth to a baby girl after spending four years in marriage childless.

Katushabe had first pleaded not guilty until she saw the Police investigating officer in her case, Vincent Sunday, who had turned up to testify against her.

Magistrate Nsenge said that Katushabe was not kind to the one-day old baby and that she was also selfish to the baby’s mother who had given birth by caesarian whom she (Katushabe) traumatized.

Katushabe asked court for a minimum sentence saying that she had some people she was looking after plus some children whom she is responsible for paying their school fees.

The prosecutor asked court to hand a maximum sentence to Katushabe which will have her repent from such acts.

Nsenge said that Katushabe had wasted court’s time yet it was a straight away matter. She convicted and sentenced her to serve four years in prison without remission.

She said that acts of children stealing are rampant in Mukono district and other neighbouring districts saying that Katushabe’s sentence
should serve as forewarning for those who are willing to commit the same.
 

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