Uganda, March 28 -- The Court of Appeal has sentenced a South African national, Joachim Ugochukwu Onyeako to 30 years' imprisonment for offences of kidnapping with intent to confine and to demand for a ransom.

In a unanimous judgement, the three member panel of the Appeal Court held that they take cognizance of the fact that these offences were planned by international criminals who included Onyeako.

Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera and Justices Christopher Gashirabake as well as Oscar John Kihika sentenced Mr Onyeako to 30 years for kidnapping with intent to confine a person and 10 years for kidnapping with intent to obtain a ransom.

The judges directed that the two punishments shall run consecutively, with effect from November 16...