Bodaboda rider killed in Masaka

CRIME

Homicide detectives said; the deceased was hired by the assailants to ride them to Mizinga village at night where he was hit on the head and his motorcycle stolen.

Until yesterday, the suspects had not been arrested although investigations are still ongoing.

Last year, security forces uncovered a much larger thread of boda boda hit men since the arrest of two kingpins in Kampala, at the time.

Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga revealed that the hit gangs had spread out to other parts of the country.

Earlier, police arrested two suspected kingpins of the boda boda murders: John Bosco Mugisha, alias Mukiga, and his accomplice, Aloysius Tamale, also known as Young Mulo.

The two recorded extra-judicial statements before Mengo Court Grade One magistrate, Esther Nyadoi, and reportedly confessed to killing a cyclist identified as Derrick Muwonge.

Their chilling act was caught on surveillance video, which prompted an intense manhunt by multiple security agencies in the greater Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts.

The footage shows a cyclist with two passengers on a motorcycle riding into a secluded area. As soon as he makes a stop, one of the two passengers places the cyclist in a chokehold and wrestles him to the ground.

His accomplice picks up the revving motorcycle and dashes to a spot, where he picks up a hammer and uses it to smash the cyclist's head multiple times. The killers then fled with the motorcycle registration number UER 179R.

Mugisha was arrested in Ndeeba and he initially informed Police that Mulo had been killed in another robbery by a mob after they had stolen a motorcycle in Mityana on July 2, last year.

Mulo was arrested a few days later by Police from a shrine in Mpigi district, where he had fled after escaping from Mulago Hospital where he had been admitted following a mob beating.

The two men have also been linked to the murders of other cyclists including Damiano Sekalala, Abdullah Nsubuga, Godfrey Nkata, Emmanuel Gatete and Tom Wamala.

According to Police, at least 19 suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders, and six of them are known hitmen.

Security agents are still hunting for 12 spare parts dealers who are linked to the trade of motorcycles and assorted parts that are stolen from cyclists.

During the operation, Police recovered 45 motorcycles, assorted motorcycle spare parts, and 55 number plates in the densely-populated suburbs of Katwe and Nalukongo

In the wake of the rampant killings, Police has cautioned Boda cyclists to avoid riding long distances, especially at night and to always park in open public spaces.