Asian charged over theft of sh100m decoration items

Oct 30, 2020

The charges contravene Sections 254 (1) and 261 of the Penal Code Act and illicit to a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, upon conviction.

COURT|CRIME|THEFT

KAMPALA - A 39-year-old Asian has been charged for allegedly stealing decoration items worth over sh100m.

Mitesh Dige, who is believed to be of Indian descent, was arraigned before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates' Court in Kampala and charged with one count of theft.

Grade One Senior Magistrate, Stella Maris Amabilis read him the charges. He denied having committed the same.

The charges contravene Sections 254 (1) and 261 of the Penal Code Act and illicit to a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, upon conviction.

Upon denying the charges, the prosecution led by Miriam Njuki informed the court that inquiries in the matter were complete.

"Your worship, investigations regarding the case are complete, we, therefore, pray for a hearing date to be set," Njuki submitted.

However, the accused through his lawyer, Emmanuel Ssemwogerere entreated the court to grant him bail saying he had substantial sureties.

Some of the accused relatives seated in court listening to court proceedings.

"There are three sureties in court, we pray that court finds them substantial and release the accused on lenient bail terms," Ssemwogerere said.

Ssemwogerere added that the Indian Community had begun negotiations with the complainant, Stella Busingye, who was also in court, therefore, inviting court to grant the accused bail.

Delivering her ruling, the Senior Magistrate granted Mitesh a cash bail of sh2m and the three sureties were bonded sh30m, non-cash.

"Since the prosecution raises no objection to the sureties, the bail application hereby succeeds on condition that the accused executes sh2m, cash and each of the sureties is bonded sh30m, not cash," Amabilis ruled.

Amabilis also ordered the accused to deposit his passport in court not later than November 5, 2020.

The charge

The prosecution purports that in the months of January 2020 at Universal House, Luwum Street in Kampala district, Mitesh stole decoration items from shop number F04, all valued at over sh100m, the property of Busingye.

The case was adjourned to November 12, 2020 for hearing.