Attempted murder: Boda cyclist held for knocking Mbarara police officer

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Police in Mbarara City on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of a 27-year-old boda boda rider, Richard Agumaniiwe, over an alleged attempted murder incident targeting a senior police officer.

Rwizi Region Police spokesperson Samson Kasasira said Agumaniiwe, who was captured in a viral video circulating on social media, had since been apprehended and was waiting for his fate with the law. He identified the victim as Kennedy Ocaya, the Officer in Charge of Mbarara City South Division

“Preliminary findings show that the incident occurred on Monday, December 1, 2025, at around 4:00 pm at the Kikona–Ruti Town Road junction along the Mbarara–Kabale Road. Ochaya was on duty clearing the road for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s motorcade, which was moving from Rwampara District to Mbarara City for its second campaign rally of the day,” Kasasira said.

He revealed that the suspect, of Katojo Cell in Katojo Ward, Mbarara City South Division, while riding a Yamaha motorcycle registration number UAC 177Z, was instructed to clear the road for the approaching presidential convoy. 

Police say he allegedly ignored the directive, continued at high speed, and intentionally knocked down SP Ocaya, injuring him.

In a video capture on a street camera, the officer immediately got back to his feet and apprehended the man who attempted to flee the scene. A couple of other policemen came to his aid as a large crowd looked on in awe.

“The officer was rushed to a nearby health facility for first aid and is reported to be in stable condition,” Kasasira added.

Kasasira noted that upon arrest, Agumaniiwe appeared intoxicated and was subjected to a breathalyser test as part of ongoing investigations.

The viral video has since elicited mixed reactions on social media. It has also shown just how reckless the boda boda riders are.

According to the Annual Police Crime report released in February this year, in 2024, Uganda recorded 25,107 road crashes, resulting in 25,808 casualties and 4,434 fatalities, an increase from previous years. Key contributing factors include reckless driving, poor road conditions, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws. Pedestrians and motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, with a high percentage of both crashes and fatalities involving them.

Boda boda accidents in Uganda are a major public health issue, accounting for a significant portion of road crash fatalities, with statistics showing a rising number of deaths. Statistics show a high proportion of accidents involve boda bodas, with recent data indicating they account for over half of fatal crashes in some weeks and a combined 43.3% of motorcyclist and passenger deaths in 2024. Key factors include reckless driving, like speeding and unsafe overtaking, lack of safety gear, and poor road conditions.