Luuka man jailed for seven years over aggravated robbery

High Court in Jinja has sentenced Ivan Waiswa from Luuka district to serve seven years in prison after he was found guilty of committing seven counts of aggravated robbery.

According to prosecution, Waiswa and others at large committed the crime on 10 October, 2015, after they staged a roadblock at around 9pm at Kiroba-Busalam village where they robbed six people at gunpoint.

On Monday, court heard that on the fateful day, armed with a gun, they stopped two vehicles and ordered its occupants to get out. With a gun in hand, they assaulted the victims and robbed them before ordering them to drive off.

The victims included Jimmy Kulaba who was robbed of sh200,000, Noah Muwangula who lost sh30,000 and Joseph Tabajje who lost sh40,000.

Others robbed are Peter Ntale (sh100,000) and Stephen Baraza who lost a DVD player and three mobile phones worth sh1m combined.

According to the victims, they reported the matter to Busalam Police Post and on 19 October, 2015, Waiswa was identified by the victims after he was arrested and paraded by the victims.

Justice Micheal Elubu who presided over the court session, said this was a grievous offence where victims were robbed using gun.

"This sends a message to youths who do not want to work and only think of terrorising the communities. Court has looked into your matter since you did not waste its useful time and pleaded guilty to the offences," he said.

He explained the sentence was after a plea bargain with Waiswa's lawyers and the state attorney.