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By Angela Batuli Bukoba
Rweyemamu Kashunja (35), a bodaboda rider residing in Bukoba Municipality, Kagera Region, and his accomplice have been sentenced to life imprisonment, while another individual was sentenced to 30 years in prison for charges of rape and sodomy.
Amon Mang’era, a government lawyer, explained this during a press conference held at his office in Bukoba city, where he mentioned that Rweyemamu, popularly known as Baba P, was found guilty by the Bukoba District Court Magistrate’s Court for the offense of sodomizing a six-year-old girl, after the court was satisfied beyond doubt with the evidence presented by the prosecution.
"Between April and May of last year, the defendant Rweyemamu sodomized a five-year-old girl, who is now six. During the trial, the accused along with his first guardian, his wife, fled the scene. The case continued in their absence, and on May 30th of this year, the court delivered a verdict, sentencing him to life imprisonment under sections 154(1)(a) and (2) of the Penal Code Chapter 16, as amended in 2022," he explained.
He added that Rweyemamu and his wife, Anchira Gozibart, the primary guardian, are being sought by the authorities to serve their sentences, while a second guardian, Nelson Mutagaywa, is currently serving a six-month community service sentence.
The lawyer also stated that the case involved two other children who committed the offense of sodomy against the same girl in December of the previous year.
Amon Mang’era, a government lawyer, explained this during a press conference held at his office in Bukoba city, where he mentioned that Rweyemamu, popularly known as Baba P, was found guilty by the Bukoba District Court Magistrate’s Court for the offense of sodomizing a six-year-old girl, after the court was satisfied beyond doubt with the evidence presented by the prosecution.
"Between April and May of last year, the defendant Rweyemamu sodomized a five-year-old girl, who is now six. During the trial, the accused along with his first guardian, his wife, fled the scene. The case continued in their absence, and on May 30th of this year, the court delivered a verdict, sentencing him to life imprisonment under sections 154(1)(a) and (2) of the Penal Code Chapter 16, as amended in 2022," he explained.
He added that Rweyemamu and his wife, Anchira Gozibart, the primary guardian, are being sought by the authorities to serve their sentences, while a second guardian, Nelson Mutagaywa, is currently serving a six-month community service sentence.
The lawyer also stated that the case involved two other children who committed the offense of sodomy against the same girl in December of the previous year.
They pleaded guilty, and the court sentenced them according to the Child Act Chapter 13, as amended in 2019, after which they were referred to social services for counseling and supervision.
Additionally, the court sentenced Abdul Selemani (30), a fish trader residing in Bukoba, to life imprisonment for raping a seven-year-old girl.
Mang’era stated that the sentence was passed on May 28th after the court found him guilty beyond doubt based on evidence presented by the prosecution that Abdul repeatedly raped the girl three times.
"Between April and May of last year, Abdul took the seven-year-old girl from school and took her into an abandoned building where he raped her on multiple occasions. The incident was discovered by a housemaid who reported it to the girl’s mother, leading to the necessary legal action," Mang’era explained.
In another case, a defendant in the Bukoba District Court was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Valentine Buberwa (41), a resident of Bukoba Municipality, popularly known as the biological father, was found guilty of raping his three-year-old neighbor.
Lawyer Mang’era explained that the incident occurred on October 25th last year, when the defendant saw three children playing and took one of them, the victim, into his residence, where he raped her.
Additionally, the court sentenced Abdul Selemani (30), a fish trader residing in Bukoba, to life imprisonment for raping a seven-year-old girl.
Mang’era stated that the sentence was passed on May 28th after the court found him guilty beyond doubt based on evidence presented by the prosecution that Abdul repeatedly raped the girl three times.
"Between April and May of last year, Abdul took the seven-year-old girl from school and took her into an abandoned building where he raped her on multiple occasions. The incident was discovered by a housemaid who reported it to the girl’s mother, leading to the necessary legal action," Mang’era explained.
In another case, a defendant in the Bukoba District Court was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Valentine Buberwa (41), a resident of Bukoba Municipality, popularly known as the biological father, was found guilty of raping his three-year-old neighbor.
Lawyer Mang’era explained that the incident occurred on October 25th last year, when the defendant saw three children playing and took one of them, the victim, into his residence, where he raped her.
The victim’s relatives tracked him down and caught him in the act, after which they raised an alarm, leading to his arrest.
"Based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court was convinced beyond doubt, and on May 30th this year, the court sentenced Valentine to 30 years of imprisonment under section 131(3) of the Penal Code Chapter 16, as amended in 2022," he stated.
Mang’era further noted that all cases were heard before Principal Magistrate Flora Kaijage of the Bukoba District Court, who was convinced of the evidence provided and accordingly handed down the sentences.
"Based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court was convinced beyond doubt, and on May 30th this year, the court sentenced Valentine to 30 years of imprisonment under section 131(3) of the Penal Code Chapter 16, as amended in 2022," he stated.
Mang’era further noted that all cases were heard before Principal Magistrate Flora Kaijage of the Bukoba District Court, who was convinced of the evidence provided and accordingly handed down the sentences.
