The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Ibanda district, Eliasto Akatuhebwa has warned bodaboda cyclists against engaging in acts of mob action that have become rampant in the district.
According to Akatuhebwa, the district has registered many murder cases related to boda bodas.
He observed that boda riders have adopted a tendency of conducting ‘mob justice’ on suspected thugs by clobbering them in the night with an intention of stealing their motorcycles.
Mob action is generally understood to mean reckless use of force or violence by a group of people acting together and without authority of law, with the intent of doing violence to the person or property of anyone supposed to have been guilty of a violation of the law.
“Bodaboda cyclists have engaged in killing people. Recently, they killed an innocent teacher,” said Akatuhebwa.
He said this on Friday during a security meeting with boda boda cyclists at St. Paul Church grounds.
The meeting followed a recent mob during which boda boda cyclists who operate from the Shell Stage in Ibanda municipality killed an innocent teacher identified as Obed Mugyenyi attached at Alliance Secondary School.
The cyclists had suspected him of being among a group that terrorizes boda bodas late in the night.
Akatuhebwa condemned the unfortunate act and termed it as inhuman towards the suspects.
He also tasked the DISO, DPC, CID and OC CID to further investigate the matter.
“I want the DISO, DPC and OC CID to investigate and arrest some people who participated in killing of that innocent man. You might find out that you are killing your own children or relatives” Akatuhebwa said.
Susan Tumugumye, the OC CID Ibanda encouraged the public to report and leave police and other relevant authorities do their work.
“Actually taking laws into your hands kills evidence. When you injure a person, he/she will not be put in custody. Remember, that person is still a suspect to be investigated and taken to court for ruling,” Tumugumye explained.
Benard Ahimbisibwe alias Ichenga who spoke on behalf of the boda boda cyclists urged Police to always respond in time, in case of any reported crime in the district.