Museveni backs boda crackdown
Feb 13, 2010
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has expressed support for the on-going Police Force crackdown on boda-boda cyclists who flout traffic regulations.
By Henry Mukasa
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has expressed support for the on-going Police Force crackdown on boda-boda cyclists who flout traffic regulations.
He observed that the cyclists do not only need to meet the set benchmarks as a legal requirement, they also need to submit to them for their safety and that of their passengers.
Responding to complaints by boda-boda cyclists about Police harassment, President Museveni noted that while license fees can be reduced, safety should not be compromised.
He was addressing a rally at Busabala primary school in Makindye Sabagabo sub-county in Wakiso district,
He made the remarks after Saidi Kirumira, the chairman of the boda-boda riders in Kampala’s central division, listed the requirements on which the police were basing the crackdown. These included: A Class ‘A’ driving permit, PSV (public service vehicle) licence, third party insurance, a reflecting jacket and two helmets (one for the rider and the other for the passenger).
“Most of us began riding the motorcycles without these requirements and find the operation harsh,†Kirumira stated.
He also said passengers were hesitant to wear their helmet.
However, he was booed by colleagues who wanted total condemnation of the police. But Museveni emphasised: “We cannot compromise on safety. The laws need to be followed.â€
The cyclists, who were seated in a group, shouted back that they acquired the motorcycles on loan and could not afford to have them seized.
But the President responded: “If you bought them on loan, should we wait for citizens to die to near extinction? The helmet is for your protection in case of an accident. We cannot say, ‘you go and die’.
“The reflecting jackets cannot also be waived. Passengers who say helmets transmit diseases when they are used by many people should carry their own when they use boda-bodas.â€
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has expressed support for the on-going Police Force crackdown on boda-boda cyclists who flout traffic regulations.
He observed that the cyclists do not only need to meet the set benchmarks as a legal requirement, they also need to submit to them for their safety and that of their passengers.
Responding to complaints by boda-boda cyclists about Police harassment, President Museveni noted that while license fees can be reduced, safety should not be compromised.
He was addressing a rally at Busabala primary school in Makindye Sabagabo sub-county in Wakiso district,
He made the remarks after Saidi Kirumira, the chairman of the boda-boda riders in Kampala’s central division, listed the requirements on which the police were basing the crackdown. These included: A Class ‘A’ driving permit, PSV (public service vehicle) licence, third party insurance, a reflecting jacket and two helmets (one for the rider and the other for the passenger).
“Most of us began riding the motorcycles without these requirements and find the operation harsh,†Kirumira stated.
He also said passengers were hesitant to wear their helmet.
However, he was booed by colleagues who wanted total condemnation of the police. But Museveni emphasised: “We cannot compromise on safety. The laws need to be followed.â€
The cyclists, who were seated in a group, shouted back that they acquired the motorcycles on loan and could not afford to have them seized.
But the President responded: “If you bought them on loan, should we wait for citizens to die to near extinction? The helmet is for your protection in case of an accident. We cannot say, ‘you go and die’.
“The reflecting jackets cannot also be waived. Passengers who say helmets transmit diseases when they are used by many people should carry their own when they use boda-bodas.â€