(Kampala) – A driver of a Subaru, identified as Isaac Mukwaya, has been fined UGX 600,000 after knocking down traffic police officer Josam Katongole on Kampala Road. The incident, which took place on November 13, 2024, was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, showing the officer being shoved by the moving vehicle. Fortunately, the officer did not sustain any injuries.
Mukwaya, who was driving a Subaru with registration number UAZ 515C, appeared before Buganda Road Court where Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi sentenced him after he pleaded guilty to charges of careless driving and failing to stop when signalled by the officer. Mukwaya was given the option of paying the fine or facing a six-month prison sentence. The court was informed that Mukwaya opted to pay the fine to avoid imprisonment.
In his ruling, Magistrate Kayizzi stated, “According to the plea bargain submitted to this court, I hereby sentence the convict to a fine of UGX 600,000, or in default, six months imprisonment. You have the right to appeal within 14 days after the delivery of this judgment.”
The incident occurred when Officer Katongole, who was directing traffic, was struck by the Subaru as it failed to stop. Mukwaya continued to drive away from the scene but later surrendered to the police. In his defense, Mukwaya claimed that he was in urgent need of medical attention due to a health condition and that he had pleaded with the officer to let him pass, but his request was ignored.
Before the sentence was handed down, Mukwaya’s lawyer presented mitigating factors. These included his remorse, his role as the primary breadwinner for his family, and his youth, which they argued suggested he had potential for reform. The prosecution, led by Ivan Kyazze, noted that Mukwaya had entered into a plea bargain with the state for a lesser sentence.
The prosecution outlined the events that led to the incident. On June 12, 2023, Mukwaya was driving his Subaru Forester without proper consideration for other road users in the parking yard of Lyca Mobile Company in Kampala. Later that day, at approximately 3:00 pm, Mukwaya again failed to stop when signalled by a police officer at the Jinja Road Traffic lights.
Despite his claims of needing medical assistance, the court concluded that Mukwaya’s actions were careless, and the fine imposed was intended to reflect the seriousness of the offense.
