A businesswoman, Shamim Bitariho, has been sentenced to one year and six months in jail after pleading guilty to stealing a motor vehicle belonging to Kigezi Diocese.
Batariho, a resident of Ruhinja village in Wakiso district, admitted to stealing a grey Suzuki vehicle with registration number UAT 478N on July 12, 2023. The vehicle had transported clerics from Kikungiri Archdeaconry, led by Archdeacon Venerable Canon Amos Tweteise, to the burial service in Kitaburaza village, Muhanga town council.
Batariho was intercepted by police at the Nyeihanga town council checkpoint around 10:00 p.m. She was found in possession of nine vehicle master keys, five sticks of marijuana, 500,000 Shillings in cash, 2 trays of eggs, and traditional herbs wrapped in dry banana fibers.
Appearing before the Kabale Chief Magistrate, Derrick Byamugisha on Tuesday, Batariho requested a private talk with the plaintiffs. During this meeting with Rev Canon Tweteise and Rev Canon Nkurunungi who represented Kigezi diocese, she pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness. She explained that her health had deteriorated during her two-month remand since she was HIV positive.
Byamugisha handed a one-year and six-month sentence to Batariho at Ndorwa government prison, stating that she had not wasted the court’s time. He also returned 480,000 Shillings to Batariho to assist her during her sentence.
Rev Canon Milton Nkurunungi, the Secretary of Kigezi Diocese welcomed the ruling and urged members of the public to refrain from engaging in criminal activities.