Police fire live bullets, teargas to disperse protesting cyclists

Police in Mbarara on Wednesday fired live bullets and teargas to disperse rowdy Boda Boda cyclists protesting death of their colleague.

Cyclists who were demonstrating due to the death of their colleague Moses Kafeero on Tuesday evening engaged police in running battles around Kakoba, Katete, Nyamityobora, Rwebikoona in Mbarara City.

The Rwizi region police spokesperson Samson Kasasira said the deceased who was Boda Boda rider in town was knocked dead by Motor vehicle registration number UBD 341X along the Mbarara Kabale road.

Kasasira said Umar Ssenoga alias Kyabura a city council traffic warden was struggling with the deceased to take his motorcycle registration number UEY 980P bajaj Boxer red in colour and in the process as the deceased was trying to get away from the traffic warden, he fell into the road and was run over by a motor vehicle that sped off.

Kasasira says the traffic warden has since been arrested and kept at Mbarara Central Police Station and the body of the deceased was taken to Mbarara regional referral hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

Due to the actions of Traffic wardens, Cyclists became protested against the traffic warders in town and burnt down the house of the suspect in Masha Isingiro district.

“We were able to rescue three children of the suspect and are also at Central Police Station Mbarara for safe custody, no arrests have been made in the case of arson but investigations into the matter are still ongoing” said Kasasira

This act forced Police to engage in running battles with the Boda Boda riders who moved in different places around town as they fired teargas and live bullets to disperse them.