By Eric Yiga
The Mukono Chief Magistrates’ Court has begun hearing a case in which a mechanic, Idi Lumu, is accused of causing the deaths of Khalid Walakira, 21, the youngest brother of Uganda’s world champion athlete Halima Nakayi, and his friend David Ainebyona.
The fatal crash occurred on August 3, 2025, in Nasuuti along Kayunga Road. Walakira was being carried on a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle (registration number UGG 503G) when a Toyota Hilux pickup (registration number UAF 636G), allegedly driven by Lumu, struck them. Both victims died instantly.
During Monday’s court session, the prosecution called its first witness, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Jude Angwandiya from Mukono Traffic Police, who testified that the crash took place around 4:30 p.m. He said Lumu was reportedly driving at 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone when he attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided head-on with the motorcycle.
“The accident was caused by overspeeding. The speed limit in town is 50 kilometers per hour, but the suspect was driving at 100,” AIP Angwandiya told the court. He presented a sketch map (TAR 358/2025) of the scene and confirmed the registration numbers of the involved vehicles.
The accident sparked outrage in the community, prompting a mob to attempt to attack the driver. Police intervened in time to rescue and arrest Lumu, who was later remanded to Kauga Prison after pleading not guilty to the charges.
Lumu, however, disputed the evidence, claiming the sketch map was inaccurate. He further alleged that he was initially arrested on unrelated charges of idleness and loitering before being charged in connection with the fatal crash.
According to the charge sheet, Lumu faces five charges: two counts of causing death by reckless driving, driving without a valid license, driving without third-party insurance, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Lumu applied for bail, but his sureties failed to present the required documents. While the prosecution did not object to bail, Grade One Magistrate Gerald Emwogu remanded him until September 2, 2025, when his bail application will be reconsidered. More witnesses are expected to testify at the next hearing.
