By Yusuf Obbo
Iganga High Court has sentenced four men convicted of aggravated robbery to lengthy prison terms, in a judgment aimed at strengthening efforts to fight criminality in Busoga East.
The four were sentenced by Justice Batema David after the court considered submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
The accused had spent one year, four months and 14 days on remand before the judgment was delivered.
In their plea for leniency, defence lawyers asked court to consider that the accused were first-time offenders, among other factors.
The court also considered that the firearm allegedly used during the robbery had been recovered and that no fatality was recorded during the incident.
However, the judge noted that A4, Ntireganya Arafat, still has other cases pending before five different High Court circuits.
SENTENCES
The court sentenced the four accused as follows:
- A1 Ivulungo Bumaali — 18 years, 8 months and 14 days in prison.
- A2 Muwaya Julius alias Zaid — 18 years, 7 months and 14 days.
- A3 Kasajja Ashiraf — 18 years, 7 months and 14 days.
- A4 Ntireganya Arafat — 18 years, 8 months and 17 days.
The accused will serve their sentences at Kirinya Prison, except Kasajja Ashiraf, who asked to be held separately from his co-accused, citing alleged threats to his life from fellow inmates.
THE MAY 8, 2025 ROBBERY
The case relates to an armed robbery that occurred in Iganga town on the night of May 8, 2025.
According to the case information, Muwaya Julius, aged 27, is a native of Wandegeya-Kiterera in Mayuge District and was residing in Bunyiro along Kaliro Road in Iganga.
He was arrested on May 11, 2025, following investigations into the robbery.
The prosecution case indicated that Muwaya was allegedly recruited by Ivulungo Bumaali, who is from Mayuge District.
Investigators further linked him to Ntireganya Arafat, also referred to as “Congolese,” whom he allegedly worked with as a boda boda rider.
GUN RECOVERED
Ivulungo Bumaali, aged 40, is a native of Lwanda Village and a resident of Girigiribusu in Mayuge District.
He was arrested on May 10, 2025.
According to the case details, the firearm allegedly used in the robbery was recovered from a house associated with Bumaali, where Ntireganya Arafat’s gun was reportedly found.
KASAJJA’S ACCOUNT
Kasajja Ashiraf, aged 29, is a native of Itandagwe Village in Kiyunga, Luuka District, where he was also arrested.
According to the case information, Kasajja admitted participating in the May 8, 2025 armed robbery in Iganga town together with Ntireganya Arafat, Moses and two other boda boda riders.
The court nevertheless found the accused liable and handed them lengthy custodial sentences.
The judgment comes as security agencies and the Judiciary continue efforts to deal with violent crime in Busoga East, particularly armed robberies targeting residents and businesses.
