Friday, April 22, 2022







For Immediate Release

 

INVESTIGATE WORRYING TREND OF CONTINUED EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS OF BODA BODA RIDERS IN KISORO DISTRICT AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

(Kabale 20th April 2022) Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO) and its partners Kisoro Concern for Marginalised People organisation (KCOMPO) are deeply concerned with the escalation in extra judicial killings of Boda Boda riders in Kabale and surrounding areas and we are issuing this statement to detail the occurrence and call for specific and urgent investigations into this emerging pattern. This Started in the month of April 2022 and Police has not put any effort to have this mitigated even with the installation of traffic cameras.

Rebels from the M23 group on 10th April 2022[1] announced their retreat from villages captured in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo last week following clashes with government troops in the Rutshuru region as fighting between the rebels and soldiers flared up on the 13th April 2022 after several days of calm, as rebels from the (M23) took control of around a dozen villages in Rutshuru territory in North Kivu province, and the influx of refugees from the war affected areas continued to increase through the border point of Bunagana where an average of 200 refugees enter the District of Kisoro on a daily basis and are hosted at Nyakabande Refugee Camp.

 

Kisoro district has turned out to be an -insecure place for boda boda riders following continuous attacks by unknown criminals. The riders in the district are now living in fear following criminals who target their lives and motorcycles. The Police in Kisoro District are allegedly hunting for unidentified assailants who allegedly killed a motorcyclist and took off with his motorcycle. Davis Ndayisenga 28 years a boda boda rider and resident of Nyabitare village in Rwaramba Parish, Nyakinama Sub County lost his life on the night of 14th April 2022 after the deceased was hired by yet unidentified man who allegedly hit him using the 10-kilogram sledgehammer from his stage of operation opposite Miami Hotel in Kisoro Municipality on the fateful evening and was later found lying near the road in Rwaramba village, Nyakinama Sub County unconscious and his motorcycle taken. A case of aggravated murder was registered at Kisoro Central Police Station under reference number CRB 215/2022 to help in investigations as confirmed by the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesman Elly Maate in an interview.

The Kisoro Boda Boda General secretary Mr. Batumukoraho said that on 4th April 2022, Karenzi James a resident of Sagitwe village Mabungo parish Nyarusiza sub county was attacked by unknown people and left him unconscious before they disappeared with his new Bajaj Boxer Reg No. UFN346/L and has since been transferred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for further management. Another youth victim identified as a one “Ivan” in his 20’s from Sagitwe Mabungo parish Nyarusiza Sub County who operates at Travellers stage in Kisoro municipality he says was hit by criminals using a blunt object and left him unconscious before they fled with his motorcycle. Mbarushimana Philip a resident of Gikobero, Nteko in Nyabwishenya Sub County also of Kindly service Stage died after unknown persons in Rubuguri town council burned him together with his motorcycle into ashes. It was also revealed that there are more than 8 members of boda boda industry who have developed mental issues because of being attacked by iron bar hitmen that target their heads and other attacks are not recorded because they happen in farther places.

 

Boda Boda riders are low-income earners who are majorly youth with young families and are the breadwinners. This is an alternative source of income for most of the unemployed youth who acquire them through credit facilities by staking their properties. This scourge threatens their survival stability as well as those they care about.

Article 22 of the Constitution of Uganda provides for Protection of right to life. This is at Stake for these victims as well as Article 40 which provides for Economic Rights; where the incomes and economic stability of the industry beneficiaries in this part of the country are being threatened, the same fundamental rights embolden the very peaceful democratic principles any society thrives on which the Government is obligated to respect, protect, and fulfill.

 

We therefore recommend that;

1)       The Police carry out thorough investigations to find the underlying cause of the issues arising and bring the culprits through the full extent of the law.

2)       The Boda Boda leadership plays a strict observance and collaborative role with the Security Organs to identify the wrong players in the industry.

3)       The Media fraternity plays an awareness role for the safety of communities through targeted messages.

4)       The local Authorities ensure that communities are vigilant and report any suspicious persons identified in for proper screening.

5)       The Security Ministry tightens the security in the area and the checkpoints for the Incoming refugees screening which could be an entry point for these assailants.

6)       The Government establishes a compensation plan for the affected families and gives psycho-social support to the victims against depression

 

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Taremwa Albert – Executive Director – LOSCO - +256772935100 - albert.t@loscoug.org

Mr. Mbereyinka Bernard – Programs Coordinator - KCOMPO - +256770917808 - rwabbernard@gmail.com

 


[1] shorturl.at/jmFU5

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