The police had earlier arrested one of their colleagues identified as Mubakari Kuloba who was found carrying two passengers on his motorcycle. But in the process of evading arrest, Kuloba lost control and knocked a tree, leaving him with injuries, which sparked the protest.
Bodaboda riders in
Bududa district have staged a demonstration against police brutality.The riders
stormed Budada Town Council on Monday accusing police of brutalising them while
enforcing the COVID-19 presidential guidelines.
The police had earlier arrested one of their colleagues identified as Mubakari Kuloba who was found carrying two passengers on his
motorcycle. But in the process of evading arrest, Kuloba lost control
and knocked a tree, leaving him with injuries, which sparked the protest.
Following the outbreak of coronavirus disease, all motorcycles in the country were stopped from carrying passengers and restricted to transporting luggage. According to President Yoweri Museveni, it is hard to maintain social distancing on a motorcycle, yet the practice has been recommended as one of those needed to keep coronavirus disease at bay.
But the riders said they are being harassed by
police officers enforcing the guidelines, who are sometimes extorting money from them. Vincent Wangolo and Peter Natanga, both motorcyclists in the area accused police officers of extorting money from
their colleagues especially those found operating during curfew time.
//Cue in; “Buli lunakhu…
Cue out… na bi ibududa eno”//
Juma Kuuya, the Chairperson of Bududa Bodaboda Association, said that the police officers
in the district are not after saving lives but only looking for money from the
cyclists. He vowed to mobilize
Bodaboda riders to fight back if nothing changes.
//Cue in; “I want DPC
Bududa…
Cue out… jump on them.”//
Yonasan Bululu, the Bududa District LC V Vice Chairperson, said they cannot
look at their people being tortured even when they are rushing mothers to hospital
to save life.
//Cue in; “When you find...
Cue out... no to this brutality.”//
Jafari Magyezi, the Bududa District Police Commander, said the Boda-boda riders
have continuously violated the COVID-19 presidential directives. He says Kuloba was stopped
by officers on patrol as he was carrying two people but he tried to speed off.
Andrew Nakhaboya
Freelancer