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Police have cautioned boda boda riders to be extra vigilant as the country registers a rise in theft and murder of riders and their machines.
While addressing the media at the police headquarters in Naguru, Uganda police spokesperson Fred Enanga asked for extra caution as he confirmed that a special team was set up by the force to combat the theft of Boda Bodas.
Enanga says the team is focusing its energy on central districts of the Greater Masaka, Kalungu, and Kyenjojo where the highest cases of theft and murders have been recorded.
He has attributed the increase to the high demand for motorcycles and their spare parts.
“It is sparked by demand for spare parts, motorcycles are stripped and parts are stolen, also a market for stolen items in the neighboring eastern DRC. A motorcycle stolen from here is working in a rural area like Mubende, Kisoro and there are no major mechanisms in place by leaders in the boda sector and police .”
He says the security team in place will help in dismantling the criminal racket that is returning to center stage with organized crime.
Enanga has cautioned Boda Boda riders to avoid riding at awkward hours in remote areas.
The perpetrators usually attack their victims with guns, machetes, knives, clubs, or iron bars before stealing the motorcycles.
Records at the Criminals Investigations Directorate –CID indicate that on average 4,000 motorcycles are stolen every year in Uganda.
The directorate indicates that 13,120 motorcycles have been stolen between 2019 and 2017.
In Kampala, police name Katwe, Kibuye, and Ndeeba as the leading places where stolen motorcycles are sold.
