Trio imprisoned three years for killing neighbour’s cows
The complainant, Eric Mfitumukiza, was, however, not happy with the verdict. Mfitumukiza had earlier prayed to the court to imprison the trio for 50 years each for the crime.
All the three men maintained their innocence even after they had been found guilty of the offence and convicted. (File photo_
By Stephen Nuwagira
Journalists @New Vision
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Ibanda Grace One magistrate’s court has sentenced three men to 36 months in prison each for killing a neighbour’s six cows.
Julius Mbonye, George Turyahabwe and Ronald Manirakiza, Nyamarebe sub-county in Ibanda north county were, on June 24, jailed for three years each by her worship Vastine Kembabazi after they were found guilty of the offence. The jail term will be less of the time each spent on remand.
The crime, committed on June 17, 2024, contravenes section 112 of the Penal Code Act. One is liable for a jail term of up to seven years when found guilty.
The complainant, Eric Mfitumukiza, was, however, not happy with the verdict. Mfitumukiza had earlier prayed to the court to imprison the trio for 50 years each for the crime.
Eric Mfitumukiza who lost six heads of cattle worth over sh12m. (Photo by Stephen Nuwagira)
Speaking after the sentence, he said the actions of the three deprived him of a source of income. He added that the animals were worth over shillings 12 million, adding that some of the cows were in-calf.
Mfitumukiza had also prayed for compensation of sh20 million for the loss and to cover costs incurred while pursuing the case over the past 12 months.
He was, however, advised by the court to open a civil suit to pursue the compensation.
All the three men maintained their innocence even after they had been found guilty of the offence and convicted.
“I pray to this honourable court to forgive me because I don’t know anything about this case,” each said when asked by the court to say something in mitigation of their sentence.
The case
According to state prosecutor Emmanuel Tian, the three men invaded Mfitumukiza’s kraal on June 17, 2024 and severely cut the animals leading to their death. The trio were later arrested and charged accordingly.
Tian prayed to the court for a deterrent sentence and compensation orders “for loss incurred to serve as a lesson to others”.
“Cattle keeping is a source of livelihood for many in Ibanda district. Besides, all six cows attacked died, putting the complainant at a loss,” he added.
Appeal
The magistrate advised the convicts and the complainant to appeal in the High Court if either party was not satisfied with the outcome of the case.