Following the lynching of a former UN employee, IGP Ochola orders a “aggressive” crackdown on boda bodas.

In all regions of the country, Inspector General of Police John Martins Okoth Ochola has urged Traffic Police to crack down on errant and unruly boda boda riders.

According to the police spokeswoman, Ochola’s instruction was prompted by an incident in Mengo, a Kampala suburb, on Sunday morning, in which Aziz Bashir, a former UN employee, was slain by boda boda riders following an altercation.

“Boda-boda riders’ behavior demonstrates a complete disregard for the lives of other people on the road, and it has become a habit where if a boda-boda rider is knocked, scratched, or causes an accident, you will find other boda-boda members ganging-up against drivers without bothering to report the matter to the police,” Enanga said.

“The Inspector General of Police has directed the traffic director to implement a more aggressive traffic enforcement strategy on the highways to ensure that such disobedient drivers are brought to justice.” We can’t keep allowing such impunity on the highways.”

According to eyewitnesses, a boda boda rider scuffed a brand-new Toyota Allex on Sunday morning, and the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on compensation.

While the boda boda rider attempted to flee, his companions parked in front of the vehicle, and Bashir knocked and pulled one of the riders for nearly a kilometer in an attempt to give chase to the other rider.

This enraged other boda boda riders, who pursued the vehicle, surrounded it, pulled the driver out, and lynched him as the vehicle was vandalized.

Many people have condemned the boda boda riders for their behavior, accusing them of behaving in a disruptive manner.

Two boda boda riders have already been arrested as a result of the event, according to the police spokeswoman, but they are expanding their investigation to apprehend everyone involved in the brutal murder.

“This isn’t the first time they’ve been accused of obstructing traffic. We have security tape that clearly shows what happened, and we’re seeking to identify all of the perpetrators, including the initial boda boda rider who brushed the car. Those who chased him down and battered him to death are also being hunted down,” he said.

Enanga said the incident was sparked by strong emotions on both sides, but that police will conduct a motorist awareness campaign to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

“We are expanding our anger management sensitization and awareness programs, working closely with all boda boda groups, other members of the transport sector, and motorists, among others, on how to use soft language and skills, record incidents, and alert the nearest police station,” says the statement.