By Innocent Ruhangariyo
While presiding over the court session yesterday July 4, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi sentenced Wilson Habiyakale to 18 years for aggravated defilement.
On February 28, 2022, Wilson Habiyakale 36, the head teacher of Chuho primary school in Chuho village, Gasiza parish, Nyakabande Sub County in Kisoro District, defiled a 14 years old primary six pupil.
Habiyakale had been on remand since March 13 when he was charged before the Kisoro grade one magistrate, Mr Raphael Vueni.
While the accused has been convicted of the offence of aggravated defilement contrary to section 129 (3), (4) (a) and (c) of the penal code act, the chief state attorney, Ms Grace Nabagala Ntege prayed for a deterrent custodial sentence of 30 years citing a number of reasons.
He considered the sentencing guidelines, the current sentencing practice in relation to the offences of the nature and the circumstances of the case, “I consider a sentence of 18 years imprisonment appropriate, though Habiyakale has a right of appeal against the conviction and the sentence within 14 days from the date of the judgment.” He Said.
He Added that the three months the convict has spent on remand as required by article 23 (8) of the constitution, the convict shall serve 17 years and nine months from July 4
Godwin Masereka Habiyakale’s lawyer said, he is going to appeal against the sentence arguing that it was too harsh for his client in that the convict is a first offender with a family of six children and a mother to look after.
He argued that the court should have considered that the convict is going to lose his job as a headteacher which is another form of punishment for his actions.
