KASESE BUSINESSMEN CHARGED WITH THEFT OF COFFEE WORTH 6M SHILLINGS

Three businessmen were on Monday charged by the Kasese Chief Magistrate court for allegedly stealing coffee worth Shs 6M.

Coffee dealers Mr. John Bwambale, Mr. Ronald Musisi and Mr. John Kamuhanda who were arrested last week were charged before chief magistrate Ms. Agatonika Mbabazi.

Prosecution alleges that the trio on December 11, 2012 stole coffee worth Shs 6M meant from their fellow businessman Mr. Zamari Saturday.

The suspects were charged with theft and acquiring property under false pretence that is contrary to section 254 and 256 of the penal code Act which carries a ten-year sentence upon conviction. They denied the charges.

Two of the accused John Kamuhanda and Ronald Musisi were then granted bail after their lawyer Mr. Patrick Fura convinced court that the two sureties adduced by each was substantial.

Chief magistrate Ms Agatonika Mbabazi granted them cash bail of Shs 1M each and bonded each of their sureties at Shs 2M not cash.

However, state lawyer Mr. Mike Mwanje objected the bail application of the third suspect John Bwambale after he failed to produce substantial sureties before the chief magistrate.

Mr. Mwanje urged that one of the sureties Harriet Masika did not produce the required documents to secure her husband’s bail.

“Your worship I am objected to the application made by Bwambale because his wife has failed to satisfy court and secondly she may not manage to pester her husband to report to court on the set dates”. Mr. Mwanje said.

Chief magistrate Ms. Agatonika Mbabazi has set January 22^nd for the hearing of the case. END