Woman Accused of Stealing Diocese of Kigezi Vehicle Further Remanded

KABALE – The court in Kabale District has today Morning adjourned the case involving Shamim Batariro, a twenty-eight-year-old accused of stealing a motor vehicle belonging to the Diocese of Kigezi during the burial of the late Apollo Nyegamahe, also known as Aponye, in Rukiga district.

The Chief Magistrate’s court had scheduled the hearing for Batariro, who is accused of stealing a grey Suzuki vehicle with registration number UAT 478N, valued at Shs 17.7 million.

However, due to Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha’s absence on official duties in Kampala, the hearing has been rescheduled for September 26, 2023.

Julius Mutabazi, the Kabale Grade One Magistrate, has ordered Batariro’s remand to Ndorwa Government Prison until the rescheduled hearing.

Batariro, a businesswoman from Ruhinja village in Wakiso district, stands accused of stealing the Suzuki vehicle on July 12, 2023, which had transported clerics from Kikungiri Archdeaconry to the burial service in Kitaburaza village, Muhanga town council.

Reports suggest that Batariro made a stopover in Rubare town before continuing her journey at night.

However, she was intercepted by police at the Nyeihanga town council checkpoint around 10:00 pm after a stolen car report had been filed at the Muhanga police station.

This led to notifications being sent to other police stations along the Kabale-Mbarara highway.

Upon her arrest, Batariro was found in possession of nine vehicle master keys, five sticks of marijuana, 500,000 Ugandan shillings in cash, and 2 trays of eggs.

During her first appearance before Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court, Batariro pleaded not guilty to the charges of stealing a motor vehicle valued at 17.7 million Shillings, contravening sections 254 and 265 of the Penal Code Act.

On August 10, 2023, Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha remanded Batariro to Ndorwa government prison.

She protested, seeking bail, and claimed to be HIV positive. She also alleged theft of her money and belongings by security officers, including 500,000 Shillings, a mobile phone, and a charger.

Batariro insisted that she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen, as it was given to her by a man named Sula Sekasi from Kampala, instructing her to drive it to the diocese headquarters, without specifying the exact location. She emphasized her involvement in the egg trade.

Despite her protests, Byamugisha declined to release her due to the absence of sureties but ordered a police and State Attorney investigation into Batariro’s accusations. Their findings will be presented during the next hearing date.