Uganda Police has issued 10 security guidelines to bodaboda riders which will help them avoid being killed by thugs who also take away with their motorcycles.
Police said that if all Ugandans involved in this job become vigilant and put the guidelines in practice, the killing of bodaboda riders will reduce drastically.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (CID), five bodaboda raiders are murdered each month and their motorcycles taken without trace.
In the investigations conducted for the last three months, majority of these thefts and attacks do occur between 07:00 pm and midnight and according to the report, 14 bodaboda raiders were killed within that period.
Six were killed and robbed off their motorcycles within 01:00 am to 06:00 am hours, between 07:00 am and 18:00 hours five were killed, while three were murdered at an unknown time.
While addressing journalists on Monday at Police Headquarters Naguru, Police spokesman Fred Enanga said that thugs are always targeting motorcycles of newer models of Bajaj and boxer whose spare parts are on high demand.
“We have also noted that some of the motorcycles have no tracking capability from the dealership which makes their recovery a difficult process,” said Enanga.
Adding, “The attackers have been using tools like knives, hammers, stones to injure or kill the Bodaboda riders and rob their motorcycles.”
Enanga added, As Police, they have come up with safety tips that will help bodaboda owners and riders to protect themselves from perpetrators.
The guidelines include;
- Search your clients for weapons.
- Safety gear of helmet and jackets.
- Covering a short distance.
- Linkages across Bodaboda stages.
- First tracking all cases of theft police.
- Avoiding late hours.
- Use jammers to act as a deterrent when the engine switches off.
- Use of GPS trackers this may assist in the recovery of motorcycles
- Avoid self –hire riders and substitutes.
- Be vigilant by keeping an eye on suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood.
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