Police in Elegu have arrested one Suubi Baliddawa, who set his black Toyota Wish car with registration number UBE 852E on fire.
Baliddawa reported that he set his car ablaze after becoming frustrated with the police for having held his car since early May after he was involved in an accident.
In a statement, the police noted that on May 7 at 9:18 am at Muvule along Gayaza Road opposite Riham Depot, Suubi Baliddawa, while driving his car from Mpererwe towards Kalelwe, knocked and injured a pedestrian identified as Naome Nakabaliki, 58 years old, who was crossing the road to check on her son who works in the building across.
After the crash, Baliddawa attempted to flee but was compelled by boda-boda riders to take the injured pedestrian to the hospital, which he agreed to do.
However, on the way to the hospital, he transferred the victim from his vehicle to a hired motorcycle and parked his vehicle elsewhere to avoid being recognized at the hospital.
It is reported that Baliddawa shared his contact with the victim’s son but allegedly gave a false number plate for his vehicle in an attempt to evade justice.
Later that day, the victim’s son went to Kanyanya Police Station to check if Baliddawa had reported the incident, which he had not. A case was registered by Edward Kamuhanda, the victim’s son.
“The traffic officer at the counter contacted Baliddawa, who claimed he was taking his sick child to Gulu for treatment. The officer instructed him to hand over the vehicle to the nearest police station, but he did not comply,” said the police.
They added, “On May 9, 2024, Suubi Baliddawa reported the crash at Elegu Police Station after the 24-hour mandatory period had passed. He was advised to return to Kanyanya Police Station to follow the proper investigation procedures, which he did not do.”
On May 17, at about 7:00 am, Suubi Baliddawa reported to Kanyanya Police Station following the guidance of the OC Traffic Elegu. Upon presenting himself before the OC Traffic Kanyanya, he initially denied any involvement in the crash but was subsequently detained.
The following day, while recording a statement, Baliddawa is said to have confessed to providing a false number plate and accepted liability for the crash.
On May 18, he was granted police bond and given a police form to produce his driving license, certificate of insurance, and registration book within five days for inspection. However, on May 21, 2024, a video surfaced on social media showing Baliddawa burning the vehicle.
