POLICE WARNS BODABODA RIDERS ON TARGETED ATTACKS AND ROBBERIES

Last week, 8 incidents were registered against boda bodas and riders respectively, which resulted into the murders by hitting of 4 riders, two attempted murders of riders, and two murders of suspected bodaboda thieves. During the attacks, 4 motorcycles were robbed and 4 others were rescued. The facts gathered reveal that;

1. On the 12.03.2024, a one Munyegena James, a 22 year old, boda rider, was attacked while riding motorcycle, registration number, UGA 152Z by unknown thugs, who left him unconscious and robbed the motorcycle, that belonged to Mugeere Samim, of Bulindi zone, Kamuli Municipality.  The victim was found lying unconscious, in the morning and rushed to Lubaga Hospital, in Kamuli, where he succumbed to the injuries. One suspect identified as Kayima Ibrahim arrested and detained in custody.
2. On the 12.3.2024, at around 4pm, an unknown boda boda rider, on motorcycle registration, number UGB 267L, approached Nalwadda Ritah at Rutete zone in Zirobwe sub county and bought fuel of Ugx 6000. The suspect handed her a Ugx 50.000 shilling note, but as the victim was sorting out his change, the suspect pounced on her, and grabbed the bundle of money from her and sped off. She raised an alarm, which attracted other boda boda rider. They gave the suspect a chase up to Lufula zone, where he jumped off the motorcycle and tried to escape. He was pursued, arrested and lynched to death by an angry mob. His motorcycle and several exhibits of sticks and bricks were recovered. Two suspects were arrested.
3. On the 13.3.2024, a one SSekasamba Kasim, a 24 year old, boda boda rider was attacked by two suspects, one of whom was later identified as Ssebulime Yasin.  He was arrested at the scene, after his associate, escaped with the robbed motorcycle, Bajaja Boxer, registration number UFQ829V. The second suspect was intercepted by an angry mob, and lynched to death at Kigoma village. A killer weapon of a panga was recovered on Ssebulime Yasin of Masitowa in Nansana.

The two suspects attacked the victim as he transported them from Nansana Masitowa to Kawoko. They used a hammer to hit him on the head and the panga for hacking him.

4. On the 14.3.2024, at around 11.30pm a boda boda rider identified as Brian of Kisuga Cell, Galiraya sub county went to pick his mother from Kisalizi market. But on their way back, they were intercepted by two thugs, armed with  a hammer, who hit the rider with a harmer and robbed his motorcycle, a Bajaj Boxer registration number UFA 364G, plus their mobile phones. The victim was rushed to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital as inquiries continue.
5. On the 14.3.2024, at unknown time, a one Kaweesa John, a 42 year old, boda boda rider of Bombo mile 19, was found lying unconscious along the road, between Kyamabizi – Kitungwa. He was rushed to a clinic at Kilungwa cell, and further referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, but he succumbed to the injuries along the way. The robbed motorcycle was a Bajaj Boxer, under registration number UFC 656Y.
6. Again, on the 15.3.2024, at around 4am, a one Ndaluhukye John, a 26 year old, resident of Kabulengwa village in Nansana Municipality while riding a TVS motorcycle registration number, UFT 979B, to Busunju to pick milk, was intercepted around Serinya village, Mende sub county, by a group of thugs, who hacked him to death and robbed his motorcycle.

That same day, at around 7pm, Byamukama Bernard, a 38 year old, also a resident of Kabulengwa was arrested, from Shamex Petrol Station, where he had removed the milk cans and instructed the Askari to hide the motorcycle.

7. On the 16.3.2024, at around 4am, the area Chairman of Kazo – Kawempe, called Pakacha, while on routine patrol, rescued Sadam Mwesigwa a boda boda rider of Kisimo – Katooke in Nansana, while fighting off, thugs who were attempting to rob his motorcycle under registration number, UFV 137Z. The thugs who were armed with pangas, fled from the scene. A patrol team responded and recovered the motorcycle and also transported the victim to hospital.
8. On the 17.3.2024 at around 2:30am, a one Nasif Muwanga a 45 year old, Clinical Officer, at Manje Masulita Health Centre III, Kakiri Division was attacked while being riden on a motorcycle registration number UEM 071V, Bajaj red in color, by unknown thugs, a few metres to his home in Gombe village, Wakiso Town Council. The victim was handling a land matter in his village. He was targeted, after the rider who was called by his wife from Kayunga trading centre, was spared with his motorcycle. The victim was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

The safety of all bodaboda riders on various stages and routes is a top priority. Despite the recent spike in bodaboda thefts and robberies, the vice had generally declined. The concern is that these crimes can be a gateway to other violent offences such as murder, burglary and robberies.

We have so far determined that most of the incidents occur when the riders are transporting passengers at night, and in isolated area. The other danger is the continuous transportation of two or more passengers who are actually robbers. We also have incidents of ambushes in isolated and dark spots with hammers and sharp instruments that used to threaten, injure and kill the riders.

This therefore calls upon all  bodaboda riders to be observant and vigilant of their surroundings, to have a situation awareness of who is around you, take common practical senses of not picking passengers from non-gazetted areas, searching passengers being transported at night, avoid very attractive rates at night over long distances because it makes them more vulnerable, networking of stages and routes, installing audible alarms on motorcycles, and tracking devices, can help save the motorcycle, immobilizing devices, such as fuel fuse –cut offs, kill switches and ignition can help prevent a motorcycle from starting, unless a hidden switch or button is deactivated.

SCP Enanga Fred

Police Spokesperson

18^th March 2024