According to police, up to 12 people have been arrested for the continuous impounding of boda bodas as well as the illegal distorting of money before the riders are freed.
In an announcement released Thursday, police confirmed the arrests of up to 12 civilians suspected of being behind the continued impounding of boda bodas and illegal distorting of money from the riders before releasing them.
In a statement dated May 12, Luke Owoyesigyire said the arrest came following a series of complaints from motorists about the illegal acts.
Owoyesigyire raised that these people disguise as traffic workers after which they stop moving boda bodas and that way they go on to threaten the riders on one thing or another and only set them free once they have given some money.
“Following alot of complaints from motorists, especially boda boda riders who have been accusing people in civilian wear of impounding their motorcycles along clock tower area and later extort money from them before releasing the illegally impounded motorcycles.”
The police Deputy spokesperson, in particular, said an operation was carried out in areas where several complaints were been registered.
“The Police at Central Police station – Kampala yesterday (11.05.2022 )carried out an operation in the affected areas of Clocktower and Biwologoma where several complaints had been registered.”
“12 suspects have been arrested. These include three KCCA enforcement officers whom the riders accuse of colluding with others to extort money,” Owoyesigyire said.
In addition, he said a chain used to lock down the impounded motorcycles was also recovered in the same operations.
Owoyesigyire however, noted that investigations are still ongoing to capture more suspects but urged all victims of this kind of torture to file their cases before the police.
“A chain used to lock down the motorcycles in un gazetted places has also been recovered and taken as evidence. The operation is still ongoing and the public should take note that only officers in uniform should stop and impound your motorcycle. In case you are affected by such a situation, report the matter to the DPC, Central Police Station or Officer in charge of traffic,” Owoyesigyire added.
He further assured that the arrested suspects will be arraigned in courts of law as soon as investigations on them are done. He also urged the public to desist from such manners of impersonating police workers.
