Bududa: Boda Boda protest against police brutality

By Andrew Nakhaboya

Bodaboda riders in Bududa district yesterday protested against what they term as police brutality during the enforcement of Covid-19 directives.

Some who spoke to The Nile Post said they are not even allowed to carry cargo as it was directed by the president during his address on June 18.

Following the outbreak of coronavirus disease, all motorcycles in the country were stopped from carrying passengers and restricted to transporting luggage.

But the riders said they are being harassed by police officers enforcing the guidelines, who sometimes extort money from them.

Cyclist, Joseph Wakubona said the police have stopped them from carrying luggage and taking the sick to hospital, something they are unhappy with.

"The motorcycles of the GISOs and police are carrying people who are not police officers but we are not allowed to even explain and are instead beaten and our motorcycles confiscated," Wakubona said.

Juma Kuuya, the chairperson of Bududa Bodaboda Association, said that the police officers in the district were not after saving lives but are looking for money from the cyclists. He vowed to mobilize Boda boda riders to fight back if nothing changes.

Milton Kamoti Wasunguyi , the Bududa LC V vice chairperson, said the brutality reports had not reached his office and pledged to intervene in the matter because he cannot look on as people  arebeing tortured even when they are rushing mothers to hospital to save life.

Gerald Mugisha, the officer in charge of Bududa central police station, said some cyclists have a tendency of riding past check points prompting officers to whip them.