Kampala, (UG):- The Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to Mercy Timbitwire Bashisha, the 38-year-old woman who appeared in a phone-captured video slapping a uniformed traffic officer, Charles Makawa in a viral incident last month.
The accused today, November 4, 2024, appeared before the Court Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza at Nakawa but still denied charges and was granted a cash bail of shillings 7.5 million after finding her sureties substantial.
Timbitwire, who according to court records is an employee at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat was last month charged with robbery, assault, reckless driving, failure to comply with a Police officer’s directive and using a motor vehicle without Third-party Insurance which she denied.
She is charged with Benardine Abangira, an administrator at Berger Rite Holdings, who is accused of being an accessory after the commission of an offence.
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It is alleged that Abangira assisted Timbitwire to escape punishment despite having prior knowledge that she (Timbitwire) was involved in multiple offences.
Under sections 266, 267, 221 and 366 of the Penal Code Act, the offences of robbery and being an accessory after the fact to a felony attract maximum sentences of seven years imprisonment, upon conviction, while assaulting a Police officer elicits a 14-year jail term.
Ms Mariam Kulusum, the State Attorney from the Directorate of Public Prosecution told court that investigations on the matter are complete and they are ready to prosecute the accused persons.
“The prosecution served the defence team with the evidence it intends to rely on during trial. Therefore, we have witnesses in court ready to proceed,” she said.
State Prosecution alleges that Timbitwire on October 18, 2024, at Makerere University Business School along New Port Bell Road in Kampala, recklessly drove motor vehicle registration number UBM 439T Toyota Land Cruiser, white in colour, while using a hand-held mobile phone.
Timbitwire is also accused of refusing to comply with directives verbally given to her by a police officer on duty while driving the said vehicle.
Prosecution also alleges that Timbitwire on the same day at UMA show grounds at Lugogo along Kampala-Jinja Highway in Kampala, drove the car on the road without any insurance prescribed by law for that use.
On the count of robbery, Timbitwire and Abangira are accused of robbing Police constable Makawa of his two mobile phones valued at shillings 800,000 and an EPS printer machine belonging to the Uganda Police Force valued at shillings 14 million.
Case Background
According to footage posted on social media on October 19, 2024, the accused are seen confronting the Police officer. The video captures a tense exchange between the officer and the pair, with the confrontation escalating during the interaction.
In the video footage, a woman is seen engaged in a heated argument with a traffic Police officer. The altercation escalates when, in a moment of confrontation, the woman aggressively slaps the officer. The officer appears startled by the sudden attack, as onlookers witness the physical altercation.
The video also shows the Police officer removing the number plate from the vehicle as the woman angrily hurls words at him.
She was heard shouting, “Let me get your number, this is a government uniform! Why are you taking my phone? Leave my phone. Are you supposed to touch me? Why are you touching me? Am I your wife?”
Minutes later, when the Police issued a statement about the incident, her actions drew widespread reactions across social media.
Many users expressed outrage at the conduct displayed, while others debated the circumstances of the confrontation, with the video quickly going viral and igniting further discussion about respect for law enforcement officers.
Magistrate Kakooza adjourned the case until December 4, 2024, when Timbitwire will return for further mention.
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