Coffee thief ordered to clean a health centre in Ibanda

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Daraus Mpeke had thought he would make a quick bucks when he went into a neighbour’s coffee plantation and stole freshly harvested coffee cherries as the farmer harvested the crop.

Ibanda Grade One magistrate’s court heard that, unknown to Mpeke, the owner, William Tweyongyere, was closely monitoring the intrusion on his farm, only to see his neighbour grab his harvest and flee.

To avoid arrest, the suspect allegedly fled the scene and ran for his life carrying a loot of about eight kilogrammes of the cherries.

Court sitting on December 10 heard that Mpeke's mission, however, was aborted after Tweyongyere hurriedly cornered and apprehended him with the help of other residents and taken to Police.

For wanting to reap where he never sowed, Mpeke alias Senoga, of Busingiro, Kakinga, in Ishongororo town council, will serve six days of community service. This was after he pleaded guilty to stealing the eight kilogrammes of fresh coffee cherries worth sh24,000 on November 1, 2025, while appearing before the court for mention of his case.

While reading the sentence, Grade One magistrate Edith Tusabe said Mpeke’s act contravened sections 237(i) and 244 of the Penal Code Act. She subsequently sentenced Mpeke, ordering him to work for two hours at Ishongororo Health Centre IV on each of the six days of community service.

She explained that she considered the time the convict spent on remand, saying he also appeared remorseful.

Mpeke was, however, cautioned that he would be arrested and jailed for one year if he failed to complete his sentence.

State prosecution led by Emmanuel Tian had prayed for an appropriate sentence, saying that Mpeke, 32, was a first-time offender, adding that the owner was also able to recover his coffee.

Mpeke had, during his confession of guilt, prayed for a lenient sentence, saying he had learnt his lesson during the one month and six days spent on remand at Nyabuhikye Prison.