Amooti shares a moment with one of the fans in Buwama. Photo by Sadat Mbogo
There was drama at Buwama Magistrates Court in Mpigi District on Monday evening when comedian Allan Mujuni alias Amooti Omubalanguzi started his well-known practical jokes with the Grade I Magistrate Naome Sihoya, during the hearing of traffic cases charged to his driver Malik Nsubuga, 22.
The latter was arrested in Buwama town on Sunday evening after police found him driving with Bond7 whisky in a vehicle belonging to Amooti, a Toyota Hiace Regius registration number UAQ 182P. It was carrying at least 10 members of Da New Amarula Family, a comedy group.
They were heading to Masaka for a concert dubbed Ekyepukulu at Laston Gardens, Masaka Municipality.
The driver was arrested, detained and charged with two counts of driving without third party insurance and a permit, at Buwama Police Station. On Monday he was brought to court and pleaded guilty.
“By the way, I am your number one fan. I used to watch your skits, seeing you on televisions and in newspapers but you are good in that category. Keep it up,” the magistrate said.
Ms. Sihoya added: “But why do use such incompetent drivers? Don’t you know that they are a threat to people’s lives? Every week we are losing people! In fact, you should start producing skits that can sensitise our drivers showing how to respect climbing and sloping lanes, road signs and controlling speed on roads.”
The prosecution led by Mr. Samuel Owino Okello asked the court that the accused be given a deterrent sentence to serve as an example because such cases of traffic are rampant on Kampala-Masaka highway and have caused public outcry due to the loss of many lives.
“We used another vehicle to reach where we were going but unfortunately, we were not paid by the organisers so we are in state of dilemma. Your worship, please can you forgive our colleague because we have nothing like a coin in our pockets to rescue him or if you tell us to pay a fine, will you allow us to pay in installments?” Amooti asked the magistrate.
In her ruling, the magistrate stated that the accused should pay a fine of Shs400,000 for driving a vehicle without a third party license and Shs200,000 for driving without a permit consecutively or be imprisoned for nine months at Buwama Prisons.
After the ruling, Amooti and colleagues were trying to raise Shs600,000 to rescue their friend but they were only heard saying: “Now, who can give us this money? Whom should we call to help us?” Luckily for them, they were able to raise the money and have Nsubuga released.