Hitmen kill bodaboda riders in Kamuli, Buyende

PIC: Muwanika is nursing wounds at Kamuli Hospital. (Credit: Tom Gwebayanga)

SECURITY | CRIME

The bodaboda fraternity in Busoga North region (Kamuli, Buyende, Luuka) districts is in fear, following the death of three of their colleagues. The cyclists were killed by thugs in a space of two weeks.

The bandits, who disguise as passengers, dupe the cyclists before attacking them along the way or at the target destinations and steal motorcycles.

In Buyende district, Julius Mugweri, 24, was found dead at Kalambo village in Namisita sub-county.

Two other bodaboda riders whose identities were still scanty by press time, were also killed. One hailed from  Nabirumba in Kamuli district, while the other was a resident of Bukungu in Kidera sub-county in Buyende district.

Survivors

Malijani Muwanika, 41, is nursing wounds on the head in Kamuli Hospital after his "passengers" attacked him and took off with the motorcycle.

"I picked them from Namwendwa trading centre. They said they were going to Nsambya village," he said. Muwanika added that the thugs pretended to pick money from the bag to pay him, only to remove a hammer and hit him on head thrice. 

On Saturday, Richard Mazima's condition worsened, forcing doctors in Kamuli Hospital to refer him to Jinja Hospital. He was hit on the head.

His assailants, in the pretext of going to Namalemba, feigned having forgotten an item behind and asked him to stop and turn. Before they could turn, he was hit, leaving him unconscious and his motorcycle taken.