The Gulu Chief Magistrate’s court on Wednesday sentenced a man to seven years in prison for stealing two bulls.
Court presided by magistrate Deogratius Ssejemba found Kennedy Mawadri, 35, guilty of theft.
Mawadri was charged under section 254 (I) and 264 of the Penal Court Act after he was found in possession of the animals, three miles away from the scene of crime.
Prosecution led by William Bayo told court that on April 10, 2015, the convict was found herding the two stolen bulls towards Gulu’s Main Abattoir where he is believed to have planned to sell them.
But Mawadri, a polygamous man with five wives and who works as a boda boda taxi operator in Gulu town denied the charge and claimed he bought the animals from one Thomas Koma.
Samuel Oringa, the owner of the cattle told court that his animals went missing at around 2 am of April 10th from his home in Pugwinyi, Patiko Sub County in Gulu district.
Two other witnesses pinned Mawadri on the case saying they helped him to herd the stolen animals.
Chief Magistrate Ssejemba said prosecution had adduced evidence which raised no doubt in the mind of the court that Mawadri was the key suspect in the theft.
The Magistrate described Mawadari as a specialized livestock thief who had been terrorizing villages.
He noted that cases of livestock theft are on the rise in Gulu and that court has the duty to protect livestock farmers who work hard to acquire domestic animals. He subsequently sentenced Mawadri to a 7-year term saying it will keep him away from the public for some time.
