Woman Sentenced to 18 Months for stealing Church Vehicle During Aponye’s

September 26, 2023

KABALE, Uganda – In a recent court ruling, Shamim Batariro, a 28-year-old businesswoman from Ruhinja village in Wakiso district, has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison for her involvement in the theft of a motor vehicle during the burial ceremony of prominent business man Apollo Nyegamahe (APONYE) in Rukiga district. The vehicle in question, a grey Suzuki with registration number UAT 478N, belonged to the Diocese of Kigezi and was used to transport clergy members to the funeral service.

The incident occurred on July 12, 2023, during the burial service in Kitaburaza village, Muhanga town council. Before the court session began, Batariro sought permission to speak with representatives of the Diocese, where she pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness. She explained that she had been unaware the vehicle was stolen, claiming it had been given to her by an individual named Sula Sekasi from Kampala, who instructed her to drive it to the Diocese headquarters.

Despite her plea, the representatives of the Diocese, including Rev Canon Amos Tweteise and Rev Canon Milton Nkurunungi, clarified that they couldn’t intervene in the legal proceedings, as the case fell under state jurisdiction.

During the court session, State Prosecutor Raymond Mugisa charged Batariro with theft of the motor vehicle, valued at 17.7 million Ugandan Shillings, under sections 254 and 265 of the Penal Code Act. Additionally, it was revealed that Batariro had been in possession of nine vehicle master keys, five sticks of marijuana, 480,000 Ugandan shillings in cash, and two trays of eggs at the time of her arrest.

Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha handed down the sentence of one year and six months, while returning 480,000 Ugandan shillings to Batariro as an act of goodwill to assist her during her time in prison.

Rev Canon Milton Nkurunungi of the Diocese of Kigezi welcomed the court’s judgment and took the opportunity to urge the public to refrain from engaging in criminal activities.

The incident that led to Batariro’s arrest unfolded as she made a stopover in Rubare town before continuing her journey at night. Her arrest took place at the Nyeihanga town council checkpoint around 10:00 pm, after a stolen vehicle report had been filed at the Muhanga police station, leading to notifications being relayed to other police stations along the Kabale-Mbarara highway.

Initially, Batariro was taken into custody at Rwampara police station in Rwampara district and later transferred to Rukiga, where the case originated.