The Appellant’s only reason for preferring this appeal is
his dissatisfaction with the sentence meted out to him. A citizen of Rwanda,
the Appellant was arraigned at Mtwara District Court, Mtwara, on a charge of
unlawful presence within the United Republic of Tanzania, contrary to section
45 (1) (i) and (2) of the Immigration Act [Cap 54 R.E. 2016].
The Appellant pleaded guilty to the charge. On the strength
of the Appellant’s unequivocal plea of guilty, the District Court convicted him
as charged. In mitigation, the court was informed that the Appellant was a
first offender. The Appellant himself told the court that he had a family that
depended on him. The District Court sentenced him to pay a fine of TZS
600,000/= or serve three years of imprisonment.
During the hearing of the appeal, the Appellant’s main
contention was that the sentence imposed was excessive, and that the sentencing
court did not take into account his mitigation.