A 30 year old man has been sentenced to seven years in jail by the Kisoro grade one Magistrate court for causing grievous harm on a police officer on duty
The judgment was made on 20th October by the Kisoro grade one court magistrate his worship Raphael.
The convict is Hafashimana Benon, a carpenter and resident of Kashija cell, Rubuguri ward in Rubuguri town council while the victim is number 21355 sergeant Serugendo Johnson, a police officer attached to Rubuguri Police station.
According to Prosecution, on the 12th Augusts 2022, the convict unlawfully committed grievous harm on Serugendo who was on duty with two other officers in Kashija. Prosecution adds that the three officers that were unarmed and dressed in civilian clothes had gone to arrest Hafashimana who was being accused of criminal trespass and malicious damage, a case that was being managed by Serugendo.
Prosecution also says that the three police officers found Hafashimana at his carpentry workshop near Rubuguri police station where he requested to have peace talks with Serugendo in absence of the other officers. However, when the two officers left, Hafashimana picked a panga from his workshop and started cutting Serugendo severely on both legs and the neck using a panga until residents chased him before handing himself to Rubuguri police station..
In his Judgment, His worship Raphael Vueni said that on the 19th August 2022 Hafashimana denied to have committed the act with his mindfulness but he ran mad because he suspected the police officers to be either Robbers or Kidnappers because he lost his 2 million Ugandan shillings that very time.
Vueni added that prosecution gathered enough evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused indeed did the act which is contrary to article 219 of the penal code act chapter 120 as amended.
In the same Judgment, Vueni expressed his dissatisfaction to the prosecution for preferring charges of grievance harm that attracts a maximum sentence of seven years yet he could have been charged with attempted murder that attracts a sentence of life imprisonment because the damages caused on the officer implied that the convict wanted to end his life.
In his ruling, Vueni said that cases related to violence are on a rise in Kisoro and sentenced Hafashimana to 7 years in prison to send a strong message to other community members who have similar intentions. He will serve 6 years and 10 months because he has been on remand for two months.
The court file was sent to the Kabale Resident Judge for confirmation of the judgment as required by the law.
He also cautioned police officers to desist from going for official duties unarmed in order to defend themselves in case of violence.
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