The Court of Appeal in Kampala has dismissed an appeal by Christopher Damulira, a boda boda rider convicted of raping a 17-year-old girl in Gomba District.
The court upheld the 28-year and 2-month prison sentence handed down by High Court Judge Dr. Winifred Nabisinde in 2020.
Damulira had picked up the victim from a graduation party and allegedly stopped in a swampy area, claiming to have run out of fuel.
He then dragged the victim into the bush and raped her. The victim, a student, had hired Damulira to take her home, trusting him as a familiar face in the area.
The Court of Appeal justices found no merit in Damulira’s appeal, which cited a defective indictment and excessive sentence.
The court noted that the maximum penalty for rape is death and that the sentencing range is 30 years.
The justices concluded that the trial judge had followed the law and principles governing sentencing.
This decision is significant as it upholds the conviction and sentence of a perpetrator of sexual violence against a minor.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling emphasizes the seriousness of the crime and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
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