AMOLATAR
A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence in Amolatar District.
The convict, Bonny Oluk, had earlier been remanded until March 17 after appearing before Edgar Kakoma, the same magistrate he had allegedly been impersonating. However, the court recalled the case after more than 10 additional complainants reported similar allegations to the Resident State Attorney’s office.
Oluk was subsequently brought back to court, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.
Court heard that Oluk falsely presented himself as a Magistrate Grade I attached to Amolatar, a judicial rank within Uganda’s Magistrates Courts system. Prosecutors said he dressed professionally and introduced himself to members of the public as Magistrate Kakoma, promising quick and favourable court outcomes in exchange for money.
Initially, at least four complainants had reported the suspect to police at Amolatar Central Police Station (CPS), accusing him of defrauding them of more than Shs13 million.
Police later mounted an operation that led to his arrest at BRAC offices in Amolatar town.
During investigations, more victims emerged with similar complaints, prompting the court to hand down the 13-year custodial sentence.
Authorities have urged members of the public to verify the identity of judicial officers and report suspected impersonation to security agencies.
