Buganda Road court chief magistrate, Miriam Akello Ayo convicted renowned Uganda Cranes fan Jackson Ssewanyana commonly known as Uncle Money to four years in jail on charges of manslaughter.
Uncle Money was convicted together with Benson Ssenyonga after finding them guilty of causing the unlawful death of Siraje Akim Tumusiime, a former mechanic in Kasubi Zone Four, Kampala district who was suspected of stealing a phone.
Magistrate Miriam Okello said that she was convinced by the evidence from witnesses that the duo participated in the act of mob justice that she said was barbaric and ought to be condemned.
Tumusiime died on August 16, 2019, a few days after being subjected to mob justice. During the hearing, court heard that Uncle Money held the deceased by the collar and dragged him on the road towards the Royal hotel in Kasubi before handing him over to a mob led by Ssenyonga.
The mob thereafter undressed the deceased and battered with electricity cables after tying his arms together with the legs. He pleaded with the mob to spare his life in vain.
Akello directed that court refunds the Shs 2 million the convicts deposited as security for their bail and advised them to appeal the decision in a higher court if they are dissatisfied with her judgment.
State prosecutor, Timothy Amerit had asked the court to sentence the convicts to 30 years in jail, arguing that cases of mob justice have been rampant in Ugandan societies. However, the convict’s lawyer, Robert Kasozi asked the court to give his clients a lenient sentence because they are sole breadwinners of their families and first-time offenders.
