Taxi owner remanded over crash that killed Kikuube Chairperson Peter Banura

Sabiti is facing charges of failure to keep proper records of his driver, a legal requirement for vehicle owners and operators.

Taxi owner Solomon Sabiti appears before Hoima Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (Photo/Courtesy)

Hoima, Uganda: The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Hoima has remanded Solomon Sabiti, the owner of a taxi involved in a fatal road crash that claimed the life of Kikuube District Chairperson Peter Banura.

Sabiti, the registered owner of taxi UBQ 853E, was on Friday remanded by Chief Magistrate George Kunihira until April 14, 2026, as police continue to hunt for the driver who fled after the accident.

The accused is facing charges of failure to keep proper records of his driver, a legal requirement for vehicle owners and operators.

Prosecution alleges that the absence of proper documentation has complicated efforts to trace the driver, who remains on the run days after the fatal incident.

ICYMI: Banura, the Kikuube District LC5 Chairperson, died on Saturday after being knocked by the taxi in a crash that has since drawn public attention.

Appearing before court on Friday, Sabiti denied the charge and pleaded for leniency, telling the magistrate he had cooperated with police.

“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,” Sabiti said.

He added that as a former civil servant, he respects the law and would not abscond if granted bail.

However, the court declined to release him, citing procedural requirements and the absence of the state prosecutor.

“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,” Magistrate Kunihira ruled.

Albertine Region Police Spokesperson Julius Hakiza confirmed Sabiti’s arrest and warned employers against hiring drivers without proper identification and records. “It is wrong to employ someone without keeping their records. We are still searching for the driver,” Hakiza said, adding that investigations into the crash are ongoing as efforts intensify to locate the suspect driver.

The incident adds to growing concerns over road safety and accountability among commercial vehicle operators.

According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, road crashes remain one of the leading causes of death in the country, often linked to reckless driving, poor vehicle management, and weak enforcement of transport regulations.