Three remanded for theft, one jailed for eight months in Pader

23 April 2026, 8:26 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong 

Three men were remanded to prison while another has been sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment for theft in Pader District.

The suspects remanded are Innocent Odong, 23, Stephen Komakech, 29, and Joel Rwotomiya, 28. They were remanded until 30th April 2026.

Odong, a resident of Burlobo Village, is accused of stealing an ox plough belonging to Richard Mwaka on 4th April 2026 with others who are still at large. The ox plough is valued at UGX 350,000.

Komakech is alleged to have stolen three goats valued at UGX 750,000 from his mother, Elibadiza Auma, in Angagura A on 6th April 2026. The offence is contrary to Sections 231(1) and 247 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128.

Rwotomiya is accused of stealing four basins of sorghum and one dozen saucepans belonging to Ronald Okot on 17th April 2026. The stolen items are valued at UGX 150,000.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Atanga for further hearing since the cases fall under the court’s jurisdiction in Aruu North, Pader District.

Meanwhile, Walter Opiyo, also known as Odonga, a resident of Ogwaleng Valley in Luna Ward, Pader Town Council, has been convicted and sentenced to eight months in prison for theft.

Court heard that Opiyo stole a black loudspeaker belonging to Perfect View Hotel in Lagwai Zone A, Pader Town Council, on 16th April 2026.

The theft was discovered by a security guard at the hotel after the loudspeaker went missing. Opiyo was later arrested and taken to police custody where he admitted to committing the offence.

While delivering the sentence, the Chief Magistrate of Pader, Martins Kirya, told the court that theft of this nature attracts a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment. However, the court considered the accused’s remorse and guilty plea from the time of arrest through trial and therefore sentenced him to eight months in jail.