A police officer questions MC Mariachi and his body at Old Kampala Police Station where they were detained. COURTESY PHOTO
Stand-up comedian Charles Kasozi popularly known as MC Mariachi and his bodyguard Michael Bunjo have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a traffic officer and tearing his uniform.
The 30 -year-old Comedian signed to Comedy Store Uganda and his bodyguard allegedly committed the offence last evening at Mengo in Kampala.
“The suspect assaulted PC Eldard Kamugisha, a police officer attached to Old Kampala Police Station Traffic Department by hitting him with elbow on the face while performing his lawful duties.
The suspect who was driving a vehicle registration number UAZ 127T on a one way was stopped, questioned and cautioned regarding the offence he had committed,” said Kampala Metropolitan police Spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigire.
Mr Owoyesigire added that despite the stagnant jam caused, the unapologetic driver refused to heed to the traffic officers directives of reversing and using the right lane.
Upon insisting on using one way, the officer requested to have a look at the vehicle particulars and driving permit however, Mr Kasozi instead reportedly came out of his vehicle, verbally insulted, assaulted and willfully tore the uniform of the officer.
The officer was to Mulago Referral Hospital for medical attention.
“I pay tax that pays your salary and just one single phone call can get you dismissed from the force. Get the hell out of my way. I have a show to attend to in Masaka,” Mr Kasozi reportedly told the officer.
By press time last evening, the comedian was still detained at Old Kampala Police Station vide SD reference 63/30/06/2018.
Police say he will be charged with four counts of careless driving, obstructing an officer on lawful duty, causing damage to government stores and assault.
Authorities say Mr Kasozi’s incident comes as the third deliberate attack on traffic officers this year.
Two days ago Cpl. Alice Nnalongo Nakandi who has been guiding traffic for over a decade now was knocked down by a boda boda rider as she directed traffic flow around Bugolobi junction.
In March this year, Cpl Wilfred Tweituk, a traffic officer attached to old Kampala police station was knocked dead by a bus owned by Devine Bus Company while on duty along Kabakanjagala-Nabunya junction along Rubaga road.