Kampala – Police Force has appealed to the public to use proper channels when resolving disputes with police officers.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma made the appeal following an incident of violence and confrontation between a motorist, Mercy Timbitwire, the public relations officer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat, and a traffic officer, PC Charles Makawa.
A viral video showed Timbitwire slapping the traffic officer following an altercation on Friday last week. The officer had earlier stopped Timbitwire at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Nakawa after he was alerted that she was involved in a boda boda accident a few meters away, but she refused to stop. The officer pursued her to UMA show grounds where she parked and attempted to walk away.
The altercation began when Makawa requested Timbitwire’s driving permit and attempted to stop her from recording the incident with her phone. Timbitwire became violent, slapping the officer and confiscating two phones and a government-issued EPS machine.
“We urge the public to stay calm and composed when disagreeing with police officers. Escalate issues through higher authorities, supervisors, or our complaint mechanisms,” said Kituuma while addressing journalists at police headquarters in Monday.
The police commended Makawa for exercising restraint during the confrontation. “We commend our officer for exercising restraint, even when pushed to the limit by the lady. We’ve seen instances where officers defend themselves, sometimes with unfortunate outcomes. This officer could have taken a different approach, potentially escalating the situation. Instead, he showed professionalism and restraint, despite having every right to defend himself,” said the police mouthpiece.
Update on court proceedings
On Monday, Timbitwire was formally charged before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court. Prosecutors presented multiple cases against her. She is accused of robbing traffic officer Makawa of two mobile phones worth UGX 800,000 and an Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) machine valued at UGX 14 million, property of the Uganda Police Force.
Timbitwire faces charges alongside Bernadine Abangira, an administrator at Berger Rights Holdings Limited, who is also accused of assaulting Officer Makawa. Court documents reveal that Timbitwire and Abangira assaulted the officer after a traffic altercation. Abangira is additionally charged with aiding Timbitwire in evading legal consequences. Both are accused of using personal violence against Makawa while he was on duty.
Timbitwire also faces charges of reckless driving, failure to comply with police instructions, and operating a vehicle without third-party insurance.
She was remanded to Luzira Prison until November 4, 2024.