DIOCESE OF KIGEZI FEMALE CAR THIEF RE-REMANDED

By Ambrose Kweronda
in Kabale—–

The case of Shamim Batariro, a suspected female car thief accused of stealing a vehicle belonging to Kigezi Diocese on July 12, 2023, has been adjourned to September 26, 2023.

Senior Magistrate Mutabazi Julius, standing in for Chief Magistrate Court Kabale, Derrick Byamugisha, scheduled the new hearing date and remanded Batariro to Ndorwa Government Prison.

Batariro appeared before the Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court to face charges of stealing a grey Suzuki vehicle with registration number UAT 478N, valued at Shs 17.7 million. The theft occurred during the burial of the late Apollo Nyegamahe, also known as Aponye, in Rukiga district on July 12.

The vehicle had been used to transport clerics from Kikungiri Archdeaconry, led by Archdeacon Venerable Canon Amos Tweteise, to the burial service in Kitaburaza village, Muhanga town council.

Reports indicate 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. A stolen car report had been filed at the Muhanga police station, prompting notifications to other police stations along the Kabale-Mbarara highway.

Initially, Batariro was taken to Rwampara police station in Rwampara district and later transferred to Rukiga, where the case originated. During her arrest, Batariro was found in possession of nine vehicle master keys, five sticks of marijuana, Shs 500,000 in cash, and 2 trays of eggs.

She did not disclose the specific diocese headquarters but insisted on being released, citing her involvement in the egg trade, and requested her mobile phone and money to assist in the arrest of Sekasi.

However, in the last hearing before Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha, Batariro protested, demanding to be released on bail, claiming she is HIV positive.

Nyegamehe, who died in a road crash in Ntungamo district in July, was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kitaburaza village, Muhanga town council, Rukiga district.