Solomon Sabiti
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Solomon Sabiti, the owner of taxi registration number UBQ 853E, which was involved in a fatal accident that claimed the life of Peter Banura Araali, the Kikuube LCV chairman has been thrown behind bars.
His offence? Not keeping proper records of the driver he hired to drive his vehicle, which rammed into the late Banura, killing him on the spot.
Banura, the pioneer Local Council V (LC5) Chairperson of Kikuube District, died on the evening of Saturday, April 4, 2026, following a road crash.
The accident occurred at approximately 8:00 PM to 8:20 PM in Butyamba Village (Butyamba Cell/IDP area), Kiziranfumbi Town Council, along the Hoima–Fort Portal Road.
Preliminary reports indicate that Banura had stepped out of his official vehicle (a Toyota Hilux, UG 3400 084) to talk to residents by the roadside. A speeding Toyota Hiace taxi (registration number UBQ 853E) travelling from Fort Portal towards Hoima veered off the road, knocking him and other bystanders
George Kunihira, the Hoima Chief Magistrate, charged Sabiiti with failure to keep proper records of his driver, who is currently on the run following the accident.
Sabiti was remanded until April 14, 2026, when he is expected to return to court for the hearing of his bail application.
Appearing before court on Friday, Sabiti denied the charge and pleaded for leniency, describing himself as a law-abiding citizen with underlying health conditions.
He claimed he went to Kikuube Police twice, as well as to Hoima CPS to work with police to track the driver, who is still at large.
“As a former civil servant, I understands and respect the court process and would not abscond if granted bail,” he pleaded.
However, Magistrate Kunihira ordered that he be remanded, citing the absence of the state prosecutor and the need to follow due process.
Life and times of the late Banura
The late Peter Banura Araali is remembered as a pioneering and unifying leader in western Uganda, whose political career was closely tied to the birth and growth of Kikuube District.
Banura made history in 2021 when he became the first-ever LCV Chairperson of the district, following its creation out of Hoima District in 2018.
His leadership quickly earned him recognition, culminating in his re-election in February 2026 on the National Resistance Movement ticket. At the time of his death, he was awaiting swearing-in for a second term.
Born into a prominent family, Banura was the son of Matayo Kyaligonza, a retired Major General and veteran of the NRA bush war.
Leaders, including Robinah Nabbanja, hailed him as humble, dedicated, and instrumental in fostering unity across the Bunyoro sub-region.
He was laid to rest on April 9, 2026, in Rumiina, Buhimba Town Council.
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