Woman seeks Shs227m compensation after accident involving Minister’s police escorts

Mbale, Uganda | URN | A woman who sustained serious injuries in a road crash allegedly involving police officers escorting former Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi is demanding Shs227 million in compensation from the government. Everlyn Agnes Namome, through her lawyers, Sefu Advocates & Solicitors, has issued a statutory notice of intention to sue the Government, Magyezi, several police officers and the minister’s former driver over the September 2023 accident.

In the notice dated October 13, 2026, the lawyers give the respondents 45 days from receipt to settle the claim, warning that failure to do so will result in legal proceedings in the High Court. The accident reportedly occurred on September 1, 2023, at Kikindu Market along the Mbale-Kumi Road in Mbale City. According to the notice, Magyezi was travelling in a government vehicle, registration number UG 3478R, allegedly driven by Moses Anzaliya Nginama.

Namome was travelling in a white and silver Mitsubishi Fuso truck, registration number UBD 178H, which was transporting her groundnut harvest from her garden in Bukedea District to her home in Bududa. Her lawyers allege that armed police escorts attached to the Very Important Persons Protection Unit (VIPPU) interfered with the truck before pulling its driver, Mubarak Mwanika, out of the moving vehicle. The truck reportedly lost control, overturned, and rolled approximately 56 metres into a water trench near Navani House, close to a bus company parking area, scattering its cargo.

Namome sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for treatment. The incident was recorded under police file number TAR 116/2023. The lawyers have placed the compensation demand at Shs227 million, comprising Shs37 million in medical expenses, Shs40 million for lost groundnuts, truck-related business losses and administrative expenses, and Shs150 million in general damages. Medical records cited in the notice indicate that Namome sustained closed comminuted fractures of the tibia and fibula, requiring surgical treatment.

The claim lists an open reduction and internal fixation procedure, involving the insertion of a buttress plate, conducted at Bamboo Medicals, followed by a second operation to remove the plate. It also cites X-ray investigations conducted at Palace City Medical Centre. The lawyers argue that the injuries caused prolonged pain and suffering, trauma, temporary disability and loss of earning capacity.

A medical assessment by Dr Francis Riwo Owori placed Namome’s temporary disability at 70 per cent. She was 55 years old at the time of the assessment and worked as a senior medical clinical officer while also engaging in farming. The statutory notice names Magyezi, Anzaliya, Corporal Mugwa Abel and Police Constable Ojok Eric among the intended defendants. It also identifies the Uganda Police Force’s Very Important Persons Protection Unit as a party to the claim.

The lawyers argue that the police officers were acting in the course of their official duties under VIPPU, which they describe as operating under the Directorate of Counter Terrorism of the Uganda Police Force. They consequently hold the Government vicariously liable for the alleged actions of the officers. They accuse the escorts of negligence, including allegedly removing the truck driver from a moving vehicle, interfering with other motorists’ right of way, excessive speed, reckless convoy driving, and failure to observe traffic regulations.

The notice also accuses the officers of assault and battery against Mwanika. The lawyers say they have attached a police report and accident sketch plan to support the claim. The Director of Traffic and Road Safety, AIGP Lawrence Nuwabiine, has previously acknowledged following up on the matter after engaging the complainant. Nuwabiine reportedly said he had initially believed the case had been concluded but blamed the minister’s escorts for their alleged misconduct and said justice should be served for Namome, whom he described as a vulnerable victim who had suffered injuries. He also pledged to follow up on the matter to establish its status and ensure that the complainant receives justice.

Citing the Government Proceedings Act, the lawyers demand payment of the Shs227 million within 45 days of receipt of the statutory notice. They are also seeking interest at 25 per cent per annum from the date of the accident, together with legal costs, should the matter proceed to court. None of the respondents could be reached by the time of publishing this story.

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