6 officers arrested following death of self-immolated boda boda rider
Emmanuel Kabanda, a boda-boda rider died at Kiruddu Hospital after setting himself on fire at Kireka police station
What you need to know:
This is not the first suicide case among boda-boda riders. In July this year, a boda-boda rider died after setting himself on fire inside Masaka Central Police Station traffic offices after futile attempts to recover his impounded motorcycle.
Six officers arrested following death of self-immolated boda boda rider
Six police officers arrested following death of another boda boda rider who set self on fire
A boda-boda rider who attempted to end his life through self-immolation at Kireka police station has succumbed to burn injuries.
Emmanuel Kabanda, a rider at Kireka stage in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, was pronounced dead Thursday night at Kiruddu Hospital where he was receiving treatment.
Kabanda had been rescued after burning himself on September 13, 2020, following a failed attempt to recover his impounded motorcycle Reg No UDU-610H. The motorcycle was impounded by Kireka Police team who allegedly found him riding in violation of the curfew hours.
Police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga on Monday told journalists that Jinja Road Police detectives were dispatched to investigate allegations of extortion against some of the officers who had impounded Kabanda’s motorcycle.
Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala metropolitan deputy police spokesperson now says inquiries kicked off to ascertain the exact cause of the attempted suicide which led to the arrest of six officers attached to Kireka by the Professional Standards Unit to aid the investigations of the alleged suicide.
He said Friday that the officers who are currently under detention on allegations of extortion include; Assistant Superintendent of Police Mulinde, Corporal Twinomujuni Francis, Corporal Nakisige Joan, olice ConstableHigenyi Noman, Deputy Constable Logose Martha and Police Constable Bintamye Robert.
Mr Buziba Bosco, chairman of Boda-boda operators in Kira Municipality wonders why the operations on motorists who flout the Covid-19 rules only focus on boda-boda operators. He said it’s because of selective enforcement of the law that some riders are not ready to comply, which is likely to lead to more suicides.
Among the presidential directives on Covid-19 measures is the curfew hours which bars boda-boda operators from moving beyond 6 pm, but according to Buziba boda-boda riders should also be allowed to move up to the general curfew time which starts at 9 pm, like other motorists.
This is not the first suicide case among boda-boda riders. In July this year, a boda-boda rider died after setting himself on fire inside Masaka Central Police Station traffic offices after futile attempts to recover his impounded motorcycle.
