A woman who became the center of attention after a viral video showed her slapping a traffic police officer in Kampala has been sent to Luzira prison. Mercy Timbitwire Bashisha, a public relations officer at the NRM Secretariat, appeared before the Chief Magistrates Court in Nakawa alongside Bernardine Abangira, her co-passenger in the car. The two faced multiple charges in court.
Bashisha was charged with robbery, reckless driving, failing to comply with police orders, and driving a vehicle without third-party insurance. Her co-accused, Abangira, was charged with robbery and aiding the crimes.
Prosecutor Mariam Kuluthum informed the court that the offenses allegedly occurred on October 18, 2024, at UMA Showground in Nakawa Division, along Port Bell Road, and at Lugogo, along the Kampala-Jinja highway.
The charges against the two women include robbing Police Constable Charles Makawa of two mobile phones worth Shs800,000 and an Express Penalty System (EPS) Printer Machine valued at Shs14 million, allegedly using physical force against the officer.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor stated that the investigation had been completed, prompting Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza to remand the accused to Luzira prison. The case is scheduled for hearing on November 4, 2024, and the prosecution was instructed to provide all necessary evidence to the defense to prepare for the trial.
