Two jailed over robbery at Besigye's petrol station

COURT|CRIME|ROBBERY

The General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala has sentenced two security personnel who plotted to rob Nsambya Total Fuel Station, owned by Dr Kizza Byesigye to four years and five months in prison.

Banuli Lubanga, 32, a prison warder at Kigo Prison and David Okello, 19, a security guard employed by Rock Security Company were on Monday (October 19, 2020) sentenced having been found guilty on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Lt. Gen Andrew Gutti, the GCM Chairman sentenced the duo saying the offences they were convicted of were serious in nature, carrying a maximum punishment of ten years in prison.

In his ruling, Gutti said that the sentence was appropriate and that court considered the period of time spent on remand.

"Considering the period of time spent on remand, Banuli and Okello will serve three years, one month and three days in prison," Gutti ruled.

Court told the convicts that they have a right to appeal within 14 days if they are not satisfied with the sentence.

The charges

Prosecution said that Banuli, Okello and others still at large, on or around June 22, 2019, while at Nsambya Total Fuel Station, Makindye division in Kampala district were found in unlawful possession of a firearm to wit; SAR PSO-8070764-09134, ordinarily a monopoly of the Defence Forces.

Background

Prosecution led by Maj Emmy Ekyaruhanga, Maj Samuel Masereje and Capt Ambrose Baguma told Court that on June 22, 2019, five people including the convicts plotted to rob Nsambya Total Fuel Station.

However, before fulfillment of the said robbery, security intervened and one of the thieves was shot dead.

"Banuli was short in the leg, Okello was arrested and two other suspects managed to escape," Baguma said.

Court also learnt that Banuli was taken to hospital and his leg was amputated due to injuries he sustained after the shooting.