Police have said a man who set himself ablaze on Sunday after his motorcycle was impounded later cried out for help from their officers.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, at around 8:30 pm on Sunday, Emmanuel Kabanda’s motorcycle was among those impounded by police at Kireka for flouting the presidential directive on Coronavirus.
“In the process of enforcing the directives, they impounded 10 motorcycles as they were moving beyond the stipulated time they are supposed to stop operating. Among them is motorcycle registration number UDU 610H that was being ridden by one Emmanuel Kabanda,” Owoyesigyire said.
The Kampala police mouthpiece explained that at around 9 pm, Kabanda went to the station to demand his motorbike but was told to return the following morning to claim for it.
“The suspect then left the station and after a short while he was seen about 30 meters away from the Police station while running, burning, and crying for help. When he started burning, he cried for help from police officers,” Owoyesigyire added.
The Police spokesperson noted that police officers mobilized and poured water on him to save his life before he was later rushed to Kirudu hospital for treatment.
“Statements have been recorded from all the witnesses and exhibits that include a mineral water bottle that he allegedly used for buying petrol, burnt shirt, shoes, and others have been recovered and transferred to Government Analytical Laboratory for analysis.”
Speaking while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said Kabanda will be charged with attempted suicide whereas investigations are also going on to find out whether Kireka police station officers asked for any bribe from the Boda Boda rider.
“We are investigating to find out whether instead of issuing an express penalty ticket, the police officers asked for any bribe from the rider forcing him to burn himself,” Enanga noted.
The Police spokesperson however condemned the act of committing suicide, noting that there are many other ways of solving issues, other than burning oneself.
“No amount of dissatisfaction should make you take your life. There is nothing you gain from taking your life.”
Past incidents
In July, a Boda Boda rider burnt himself to death inside the Central Police Station in Masaka while protesting against impounding of his motorcycle by police.
When the Hussein Walugembe went to pick his motorbike, he was asked for a shs40000 bribe by the traffic officers, prompting him to commit suicide within their office.
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