Boda meet turns bloody

Sep 27, 2011

THE Police in Kampala yesterday fired live bullets in the air to disperse hundreds of boda-boda cyclists, after they fought at a meeting in Nakawa division.

By Vision Reporters

THE Police in Kampala yesterday fired live bullets in the air to disperse hundreds of boda-boda cyclists, after they fought at a meeting in Nakawa division.

Dozens of cyclists were injured and bled profusely, while seven others were arrested and briefly detained at Jinja Road Police Station.

The afternoon scuffle occurred at the KCC playground near Shoprite supermarket on Jinja Road, where hundreds of boda-boda cyclists had gathered for a meeting with the Police.

Kampala metropolitan Police chief Andrew Kaweesa convened the meeting to discuss security issues with the cyclists as part of the community policing drive.

The meeting was aimed at finding a solution to the endless wrangles among boda-boda cyclists operating in Nakawa division.

The meeting was attended by cyclists from Central, Rubaga, Makindye, Nakawa and Kawempe divisions.

However, moments before Kaweesa arrived, trouble ensued as the cyclists traded accusations against each other.

The Nakawa group, led by Rashid Kawawa, demanded for the departure of their counterparts.

Kawawa recently lost the Nakawa boda-boda chairmanship to Dirisa Muyanja.

Pleas by the Jinja Road Police boss, Seiko Chemonges, to the groups to maintain order fell on deaf ear as the Kawawa-led group argued that the other riders had come to interrupt their meeting.

A fistfight ensued after Muyanja accused Kawawa of ferrying goons into the meeting. Supporters of the two factions fought each other until the Police fired in the air.

Speaking to New Vision on phone after the incident, Chemongese said assault cases would be preferred against Kawawa, adding that he was violent and wanted to disrupt the meeting.

“Two cyclists were injured. We are processing for them medical forms. Kawawa is on the run,” Chemonges said.

He also explained that the Police released the seven youth who had been arrested after establishing that they were not part of the group.

There has been public outcry over the high criminal acts committed by boda-boda cyclists in the city, which has prompted the Police to hold meetings with them.

Some of the crimes reported against them are snatching bags and mobile phones from pedestrians.

Police statistics also show that boda-boda operators are responsible for over 90% of accidents in Kampala.

The KCCA executive director, Jennifer Musisi, recently launched a campaign to streamline boda-boda operations in Kampala city.

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