Boda Boda Men Ride 250km To See Wapa

By Geoffrey Kamali A GROUP of boda boda cyclists from Mbale on Thursday rode over 250kms to Kampala to meet their MP, James Wapakhabulo, over a sh200 daily fee charged by the municipality. This follows a swoop in which Police arrested over 30 cyclists and confiscated about 100 bicycles for non-payment of council dues. The 15 cyclists, all riding bicycles, called at The New Vision offices yesterday and said they wanted Wapakhabulo to intervene in the matter. Wapakhabulo is also the National Political Commissar. "We found him this morning. He has organised a meeting between us and the Mbale RDC, Hassan Galiwango, to help us settle our problem," they said. Wapakhabulo could not be reached for comment. The group, members of Mbale Cyclists and Travelers Association, say the fee is high and the manner of its collection is too harsh and unjust. They have been on strike since last month, protesting against harrassment by Universal Transporting Agents, the company contracted to collect the fee. Ends