A section of female legislators have apologised on behalf of all women in Uganda for the alleged assault committed by Mercy Timbitwire on a traffic police officer.
On Friday, Timbitwire, was filmed assaulting a police officer after an altercation, triggering police arrest of the errant suspect and her co-occupant Bernardine Abangira.
On Monday, the duo was arraigned before court for six charges and remanded to Luzira prison until November 4, when hearing of their case will begin.
In light of Timbitwire's alleged assault on the traffic police officer, legislators led by Mawogola South MP, Gorett Namugga apologized on behalf of all women in the country, saying that, that isn't how women behave.
"That isn't how women behave and on behalf of women, we do apologize. However, we should observe human rights across board because we have observed that so many people have been assaulted, even in politics, women are assaulted, so we should carry on the responsibility to respect everyone, in different professions, in different categories no matter the gender," Namugga noted.
Mitooma District Women representative, Juliet Agasha informed Parliament that Mercy Timbitwire, is her sister in law.
"The lady arrested is a member of our family, she is married to my brother and I am really very sorry that it is happening. I really want to thank you that you have brought the issue here,"
Agasha, told Parliament that she talked to Timbitwire while in Court on Monday, and that the suspect expressed remorse for her actions.
"Yesterday I saw her when she was in court, when she saw me, obviously she said she was very sorry because the family is very shocked, because we didn't expect that and especially that the family name was used," Agasha said.
The legislator added, "She is very apologetic accordingly, and when I talked to her as a leader this time, she said it was a bad day for her. And we are ready to corporate with the law, so long as it is fair treatment."
The legislators' reactions followed the Speaker Anita Among's condemnation of Timbitwire's alleged actions on the police officer who she said was carrying out his duties at the time he was assaulted.
Appearing before court on Monday, Timbitwire was charged with robbery, reckless driving, failure to comply with police directives and using a motor vehicle on the road without a motor third party insurance, while her co-accused Abangira was charged with robbery and being an accessory to the six crimes.
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Prosecution led by Mariam Kuluthum accused the two women of robbing PC Charles Makawa of his two mobile phones valued at shs80 and an EPS Printer Machine valued at 14 million shillings, using personal violence to the Police Officer.
Upon denying the charges, Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza remanded the duo to Luzira prison and ordered prosecution to avail all evidence to the defence lawyers.
The legislators reacted after Speaker Anita Among condemned Timbitwire's alleged actions against a police officer who she said was performing his duties when he was attacked.
Timbitwire appeared in court on Monday, facing charges of robbery, reckless driving, failure to follow police orders, and operating a vehicle without third-party insurance. Her co-defendant, Abangira, was charged with robbery and being an accomplice to the six offenses.
The prosecution, led by Mariam Kuluthum, accused the two women of stealing two mobile phones worth 80 shillings and an EPS Printer Machine valued at 14 million shillings from Police Constable Charles Makawa, using physical violence against him.
After they denied the charges, Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza ordered that the two women be remanded in Luzira prison and instructed the prosecution to provide all evidence to the defence lawyers.
