Top NRM Publicity Officer Sent To Luzira For Slapping A Traffic Police Officer In Viral Video

Mercy Timbitwire, the public relations officer for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat, has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being charged with assault.

Her troubles began when a video surfaced of her slapping traffic police officer Charles Makawa at the UMA Showgrounds in Nakawa Division on Friday, October 18, 2024.The incident sparked widespread outrage, and Timbitwire was swiftly taken into custody at Jinja Road Police Station before being presented to the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Prosecutors have filed two separate cases against her, including multiple charges related to robbery and assault.

Case 1: Robbery and Assault

Timbitwire, alongside Bernadine Abangira, an administrator at Berger Rights Holdings Limited, is accused of stealing two mobile phones valued at UGX 800,000 and an Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) machine worth UGX 14 million from officer Makawa.

Both defendants face charges of assaulting a police officer and being accessories after the fact of a felony. Prosecutors allege that Timbitwire and Abangira used personal violence against Makawa, who was performing his duties at the time.

Case 2: Reckless Driving

In a separate case, Timbitwire faces charges related to reckless driving, failing to comply with a police officer, and operating a vehicle without required third-party insurance.

Court documents reveal she was seen driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser recklessly while using a mobile phone near Makerere University Business School (MUBS) on New Port Bell Road.Before Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza, both defendants denied the charges. State Attorney Mariam Kuluthum informed the court that investigations are complete.

Timbitwire and Abangira were subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison until November 4, 2024, when the case will proceed further.