The 72-year-old pilgrim who walked from Fort Portal to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine for Martyrs Day celebrations has been robbed of her money.
NBS Journalist Daniel Lutaaya reported all the money well-wishers had contributed for Agatha Nyinabutagwira’s transport back home, was stolen from her.
“I have traced Jajja Agatha. A Good gentleman from Buloba has taken her in for the night. I have spoken to him and he says she is fine with him and his family. I have also spoken to Jajja Agatha herself and she is fine although in shock. I’ve asked for her number since many of you wanted to know how you could help her. Some of you wanted to help her and I’ve for her number, it’s 0787732751 in her name Agatha Nyinabutagwira.”
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, told SoftPower News he heard about the report on social media.
“I saw it on social media but I don’t have any details or a police report about it. I will follow up,” he said.
By the time of filing this story, Owoyesigyire had not yet updated us on his findings.
How it happened
SoftPower News has since identified the Good Samaritan as Charles Tumusiime, a resident of Rwimi, a small town in Bunyangabu District.
According to Tumusiime, the elderly pilgrim was not robbed from downtown Kampala as social media reports said but in Namugongo.
“She went to a mobile money agent to withdraw money. As you know old people, you also saw her, she must be in her 80s although media reported that she is 72. So, the agent must have asked for her pin. After withdrawing Shs10,000, the agent sent Shs300,000 to him/herself.”
Tumusiime told us on Saturday that Nyinabutagwira had Shs340,000 on her phone and the agent who robbed her left her with only Shs30,000.
“I know the old woman. We come from the same place. So, when I saw her on TV, I called a lady who was with her and spoke with her. That was around Thursday. So, when this incident happened yesterday, this lady called me and I told her to bring the old woman here in town.”
Tumusiime runs electronics shop at Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza along William Street in Kampala.
“I took her to my home. That is where she is now. I told her to rest and first recover from the shock. On Monday, I will put her on the bus back home,” Tumusiime explained.
Asked if they were considering police action against that mobile money agent, Tumusiime said he had no intention of traumatizing the old woman more.
“For someone to rob an old woman after walking hundreds of kilometres on foot (I heard they spent about 9-10 days on the road)…such a person is just inviting curses to him/herself. We will let God do the punishing,” he said.
‘Granny of the month’
Nyinabutagwira become a sensation at this year’s Martyrs Day celebrations after she trekked over 300km from Fort Portal to Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine in Kampala.
She hails from Kyanyamukale parish in Fort Portal Diocese.
She was welcomed by cheers and ululations at Kyaliwajjala as bystanders lined up on the roads to take pictures while she calmly waved at them.
When the celebrations finally kicked off yesterday, Nyinabutagwira was escorted by protocol to the VIP section of the Namugongo Catholic Martyrs Shrine to attend the mass.