The Chief Magistrate of Hoima, George Kunihira, has remanded Solomon Sabiti, the owner of taxi registration number UBQ 853E, which was involved in a fatal accident that claimed the life of Peter Banura.
Sabiti was remanded until April 14, 2026, when he is expected to return to court for the hearing of his bail application.
He is charged with failure to keep proper records of his driver, who is currently on the run following the accident.
Banura, the Kikuube District Chairperson, was knocked dead on Saturday in an incident involving the taxi.
Appearing before court on Friday, Sabiti denied the charge and pleaded for leniency, describing himself as a law-abiding citizen with underlying health conditions.
“Sir, I went to Kikuube Police twice, and yesterday I went to Hoima CPS to work with police to track the driver. They even allowed me to go for lunch at 1pm, little did I know I would be arrested. I am sick, so I cannot run away,” he said.
Sabiti added that, as a former civil servant, he understands and respects the court process and would not abscond if granted bail.
However, Magistrate Kunihira ordered that he be remanded, citing the absence of the state prosecutor and the need to follow due process.
“Your concerns are valid, but we do not have the state prosecutor. Prison authorities will support you, and ensure that as you return to court, those standing surety for you understand what is required,” the magistrate ruled.
Meanwhile, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, Julius Hakiza, confirmed Sabiti’s arrest and cautioned employers against hiring individuals without proper documentation.
“It is wrong to employ someone without keeping their records. We are still searching for the driver,” Hakiza said.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing as authorities intensify the search for the driver involved in the fatal crash.
