Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has tasked the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, to ensure that police officers promptly return all impounded Boda Bodas to their rightful owners.
This call follows a directive from President Yoweri Museveni, who emphasized the importance of releasing the motorcycles, which are a crucial source of income for many Ugandans.
Last month, the Police announced plans to release all Boda Bodas impounded at their stations nationwide. This followed a directive from the President, commanding the Police chief to return all confiscated motorcycles to their owners.
However, recent investigations have revealed that the President’s order has not yet been implemented. Instead of releasing the impounded motorcycles, the Police continue to seize more, with over 50,000 motorcycles currently impounded across the country, particularly in the Kampala Metropolitan Areas.
On Thursday, during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament, Bashir Lubega, a lawmaker from Mubende Municipality, accused the Traffic Police of overseeing a “reign of terror” in Mubende. He claimed that Police Officers are confiscating Boda Bodas and demanding bribes from riders before returning the motorcycles. Lubega questioned the Prime Minister about the available remedies to curb the escalating corruption within the Police force.
“The Boda Bodas across the country are victims of terror from the Traffic Police. They descend on them with such wrath that many riders have abandoned their Boda Bodas at Police posts, which are now full. At those roadblocks, they are just collecting money; they have sucked them dry. What plans do you have to rein in this impunity and terror from the Traffic Police?” said Lubega.
During the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament, Bashir Lubega’s submission shocked the Prime Minister, who expressed dismay, as she had been under the impression that the President’s directive had already been implemented. She was visibly surprised to learn that the order to release the impounded motorcycles had not been followed and that instead, the Police were continuing to seize more Boda Bodas.
The Prime Minister immediately addressed General Muhoozi, the Minister of Internal Affairs, instructing him to take control of the situation and ensure that the President’s directive was enforced. She expressed her frustration, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
“The President directed that all the Boda Bodas of these young people be returned to them. I am wondering why this directive isn’t being followed. And so let me direct the Minister of Internal Affairs, who is here, General Muhoozi, to prevail over your Police Officers and ensure that the Boda Bodas are given back to our people!” she ordered.
Her directive was a clear call to action, reflecting the growing concern over the disregard for the President’s orders and the ongoing issues of corruption and abuse of power within the Traffic Police. The Prime Minister’s response highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the grievances of Boda Boda riders and ensuring that justice is served.
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