Two charged, jailed over kidnap of Indian nationals

CRIME

Two men have been charged and remanded to Luzira Prisons over the kidnap and trafficking of three Indian nationals.

Praful Butani 22, a businessman and his co-accused Ignitus Mugunya, 39 also an entrepreneur have been arraigned before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate, Miriam Ayo Akello on charges of kidnap and trafficking in person.

On appearing in court, the magistrate read six counts of kidnap and trafficking in person to the accused.

 "I am only reading you the charges for the purpose of you knowing why you are here, but you are not allowed to plea against the charges because they are capital offences only tried by the High Court," said Ayo.

Immediately after reading the charges to the accused, the state prosecutor Judith Nyamwiza informed the court that investigations in the matter were still ongoing and prayed for court to slate the date for mention of the case.

However, the defence counsels did not object to the state submission prompting the adjournment of the case.

"You are hereby remanded till February 14, 2020, when you will be re-arraigned in this court for mention of your case. But you will not physically appear rather by video conferencing," Ayo ruled.

Butani is a resident of Bunga, Makindye Division in Kampala district whereas his co-accused Mugumya resides in Kiwanga in Mukono district.

The charges committed by the duo contravene section 243 (c) of the Penal Code Act and 3(1) of the Prevention of Trafficking in Person Act, 2009.

The law

Under the law, any person who by force or fraud kidnaps, abstracts, takes away or detains any person against his or her will commits an offence and is liable to suffer death on conviction.

For trafficking in person, the accused will be liable to 15 years imprisonment upon conviction.

The charges

Prosecution contends that Butani, Mugunya and others still at large on January 21, 2020, in between Kampala and Entebbe, kidnapped Patel Atul with intent to procure a ransom for the liberation of such person from danger.

It is also asserted that during the same place and time, the accused kidnapped Akshay Prajapati and Patel Sahil with intent to procure a ransom.

Prosecution further contends that on January 16, 2020, the accused and others still at large from Gujarat-India, recruited, transported and transferred Atul to Uganda by means of fraud and deception for the purpose of exploitation.

The accused also transported, recruited and transferred Prajapati and Sahil to Uganda by means of fraud and deception for the purpose of exploitation.