Semakula told court that the trio broke into the prison’s food store and stole three sacks of beans, estimated to weigh 350kg, and about 20 kilograms of maize valued at 950,000 shillings.
Three inmates at Kiburara prison, Nicholas Byamukama, 21,
Nelson Muhwezi, 30, and Ronald Kule, 25 have been charged with two counts of
theft and breaking into a store with the intention to steal.
According prosecution, the charges are contrary to section
297 of the Penal Code Act, and sections 254 (i) and 261 of the Penal Code Act.
The three individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday.
The prosecution, led
by Ali Semakula, the Resident State Attorney, alleges that on the 31st of March
2024, the trio took advantage of the morning rains to steal grains from the
prison stores.
Semakula told court that the trio broke into the prison’s
food store and stole three sacks of beans, estimated to weigh 350kg, and about
20 kilograms of maize valued at 950,000 shillings.
During the court appearance on Wednesday before Grade 1
magistrate Esther Murungi, Semakula presented the first Prosecution witness,
Sergeant Wilson Bigira of Kiburara Government Prison Farm.
Bigira testified that Muhwezi committed the crime while
working with him at the store as part of his rehabilitation. He also informed court that Muhwezi confessed to stealing and was the mastermind behind the
crime.
The trio has been remanded until 2nd July 2024, when the
prosecution will present more witnesses.
