Police in Kampala have apprehended 8 boda boda motorcyclists who teamed up to stage a protest in town against the presidential directive that stop them them from carrying passengers during this period.
President Museveni on Monday, June 22 while addressing the country said that boda boda riders will not be allowed to carry passengers in a bid to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
However,these Boda bodas have on a number of times said that they are among the people who have been greatly affected by the lockdown after the extension of the period in the recent address made by the president.
Some of these riders reached the extent of challenging the rationale Ministry of Health officers are using to convince the head of state to stop them from transporting passengers again.
Speaking to NBS on Thursday,One of the leaders of a boda boda association, Frank Mawejje accused President Museveni’s advisors of politicking to prevent commercial cyclists from returning to work. He said that there must be a big reason as to why boda boda riders are being stop to ferry passengers because whenever they come up with new methods to fight the spread of the pandemic, they are challenged.
On Thursday, a group of commercial riders storm the streets of Kampala carrying pluck cards showing their frustration as the match to the parliament to take their petition to the speaker. Unfortunately, on their way to parliament ,they were intercepted by the police along Kampala road and 8 of them were apprehended.
According to the deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, these groups of protesters were arrested for holding an illegal procession. He noted that they will be taken to the courts of law as soon as their files are ready.
Owoyesigyire said that despite the suspension of passengers transport, some of these boda bodas are seen taking the risk of ferrying passengers contradicting to the presidential directive. He noted that kind of acts exposed the population to the risk of contracting the deadly pandemic which must be stopped.
Another leader of these commercial motorcyclists, Ronald Kiwanuka also expressed deep concern how they have been neglected yet their have families to take care of.
Speaking to Ug Mirror on Thursday, Kiwanuka asked government to give them financial assistance for those motorcyclists who are ready to do other jobs such as brick laying among others.
“We ask for financial support because we have been greatly affected by the pandemic.We don’t have starting capital. We have those who can carry out carpentry, bakery among others, “he said.
He also suggested that if possible, government can as well sit with them so that amicable solutions are provided to enable them remain in the business.
