By Our Reporter
KAMPALA - A woman who slapped a traffic police officer and boldly threatened his job has been remanded in a case that has captured the nation’s attention.
Mercy Timbitwire Bashisha, whose actions were caught on video and quickly went viral, was sent to remand by the Nakawa Magistrate Court until November 4, 2024. The incident took place on October 18 at the Lugogo traffic lights, where Bashisha was filmed assaulting a traffic officer and seizing his gadgets.
Bashisha now faces a string of serious charges, including assault, attempted robbery of a police EPS machine, failure to follow police directives, careless driving, and driving with expired insurance.
What Happened?
It all began on October 18, 2024, when a traffic officer from Jinja Road Police Station signaled Bashisha to stop her white Toyota Land Cruiser (reg. No. UBM 439T) after she allegedly caused an accident. Rather than comply, she continued driving while on her phone. The officer caught up with her at Lugogo Traffic Lights, where she reportedly parked and locked her vehicle near the Uganda Manufacturers Association.
When the officer requested her driving permit, Bashisha allegedly escalated the situation by intimidating him, slapping him, and grabbing his EPS machine along with two of his phones.
This dramatic confrontation, now widely shared online, has sparked heated conversations about road safety, public behavior, and respect for law enforcement.