A self-confessed murderer has had his 20-year jail term reduced after appealing it on grounds that it was harsh and manifestly excessive.
Jackson Masereka was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years and 9 months’ imprisonment under a plea bargain in June 2014.
The prosecution stated that the deceased, Nabasa Benjamin, was a casual laborer at a farm in Kiduduma Village, Kitumbi Sub County, Mubende District, and that he was murdered on the night of February 27, 2012.
The deceased’s body was examined, and it was established that he died of a spinal cord injury with consequent asphyxia.
The appellant, who was already the prime suspect, was arrested as he tried to flee the village. When the matter came up for hearing before the trial court on June 5, 2014, prosecution informed court that the appellant had entered into a plea bargain agreement.
The court admitted the agreement to the record after observing the necessary procedures attendant to the appellant’s constitutional rights. He endorsed the agreement and took his plea, upon which he pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea.
He appealed only the sentence, saying it was higher since the remand time was not deducted as agreed to under the plea bargain.
A three-justice panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, agreed with the convict and deducted the two years and three months he spent on remand before his conviction.
