By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The High Court in Kampala has sentenced Isaac Ssenabulya to 40 years in prison for the kidnap and murder of social worker, Maria Nagirinya and her driver Ronald Kitayimbwa in 2019.
Justice Muwata convicted Isaac Ssenabulya alias Kisunsu on his own plea of guilt for the murder of Maria Nagirinya and Ronald Kitayimbwa.
Yesterday, Ssenabulya asked the court to allow him to apologize to the families of Nagirinya and Kitayimbwa for his action, saying that he has learned his lessons while on remand in prison.
In response, Muwaganya (State Prosecutor) asked the court to give Ssenabulya a maximum sentence of death, arguing that this is one of the rare cases that deserves a maximum sentence.
He added that he knows that the death sentence is no longer mandatory in Uganda but it’s a good sentence in serving cases. Muwaganya added that despite pleading guilty, not wasting the court’s time, and having no clear criminal records against him, the court has the noble duty to give a sentence that fits the crime committed.
“Even asking for a maximum sentence is asking for so little, the convict is dangerous to the community he should be incapacitated from the possibility of committing any crime again,” Muwaganya told Court yesterday.
However, the defense counsel, Julius Sselwambala said that Ssenabulya should be rehabilitated because he is a young man who can become useful in the community. Sserwambala also said that the convict had not wasted the court’s time and that he is a first-time offender.
The prosecution presented 2 witnesses including Francis Anthony Lubowa, the father of Maria Nagirinya, and Lawrence Mukasa, a brother to Ronald Kitayimbwa who told the court how their loved ones met their death. Prosecutors told the court that they have lined up over 30 witnesses who are ready to testify in this matter. The hearing of the case continues today.
