Robert Nabimanya, the Mbarara District Internal Security Officer, says the rival boda boda organizations such as Mbarara National resistance Movement Association and the Mbarara General Boda boda cyclists association had become a source of confusion.
Mbarara authorities have disbanded a security committee under Mbarara General Boda Boda Cyclists Association over allegations of indiscipline and extortion.
Robert Walugembe, the Rwizi Regional Police Commander, says the decision to disband the security committee was reached after consultations with the police, office of the Resident District Commissioner and Mbarara Municipality among others.
He says it was discovered that the security committee had lost truck and established an office from where they would extort money from fellow boda boda cyclists.
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Robert Nabimanya, the Mbarara District Internal Security Officer, says the rival boda boda organizations such as Mbarara National resistance Movement Association and the Mbarara General Boda boda cyclists association had become a source of confusion.
According to Nabimanya, although the associations will continue running they will be limited to mobilising their members and leave the enforcement work to Municipal authorities. Mohamed Mpagi, the spokesperson Mbarara General Boda Boda cyclist Association is unhappy with the move.
He says the decision to disband their security committee will compromise the safety of boda boda motorists. According to Mpagi, they were prompted to set up a security committee following persistent attacks by criminals targeting their members.
At least 17 boda boda cyclists have been killed and 11 others injured in Mbarara municipality since January this year. The disbandment of the Boda boda security committee comes at the time of heightened tension between Mbarara National Resistance Movement boda boda cyclists association and Mbarara General Boda boda cyclists association.
Mbarara National Resistance Movement boda boda cyclists association accuses Mbarara General Boda Boda cyclists of establishing a torture chamber and running and extortion ring.
