Isma Kaabi faced the possibility of a three-year prison sentence after being convicted of escaping from lawful custody. However, he confessed to the offense before the Ibanda chief magistrate’s court.
In response to his confession, the court imposed a fine of sh300,000 on the 30-year-old Kaabi instead of a prison term. When asked by Her Worship Winfred Naigaga Kyobiika if he had anything to say before his sentencing, Kaabi expressed a desire for a lenient punishment, such as doing community service for one week. He explained that he had spent six months on remand at Nyabuhikye Prison and wanted to care for his children since their mother had abandoned them.
The magistrate responded by stating, “I can’t give you community service because escaping from lawful custody is a very serious crime. I, therefore, sentence you to a fine of shs 300,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in six months of imprisonment.” She acknowledged that the convict had shown remorse by pleading guilty, which saved the court’s time.
The prosecution had sought punitive punishment as a deterrent for others. The prosecution led by Ali Ssemakula argued that even though Kaabi had no prior criminal record, the escape from custody was a serious offense deserving a strong jail term.
According to the prosecution, Kaabi escaped from the Ibanda University Police post on April 20. He had been detained for allegedly stealing a mobile phone. He explained that he used a loose iron sheet in the cell’s roof to escape, taking advantage of the fact that the police officers were not yet aware of the breach. He was later apprehended and charged with escape from lawful custody, which violates section 109 of the Penal Code Act.