MASINDI BODA BODA RIDER CRITICALLY INJURED WHILE ESCAPING FROM POLICE BRUTALITY

By Innocent Atuganyira

www.mknewslink.com

In Masindi—–

Boda boda riders in Masindi district have today  demonstrated over police brutality.

This follows today’s incident where one of their own was involved in an accident as police officers who were enforcing presidential guidelines chased him.

James Ginyera a resident of Kabalye settlement in Karujubu Division got an accident and according to eyewitnesses, Ginyera was being chased by three police officers only identified as Isabirye, Karim and Senono who are attached to Masindi CPS.

“The police officers chased him right away from railway, hit the first hump, and then got an accident at the second hump. Sadly the officers wanted to confiscate the motorcycle and leave him at the scene, but we forced them to take him to the hospital, reaching there they just dumped him and said he is a thief,” They added.

Claire Ayo the sister to Ginyera explains that they got a phone call alerting them that their brother had got an accident and is in critical condition at Masindi General Hospital.

“Ginyera has sustained injuries on the head, and the right eye is bleeding, right hand has also broken. He is in critical condition and he can’t speak, we have been told to buy medicine,” Ayo added.

Ricky Barongo the secretary Masindi District Boda Boda Riders Association condemned the act of police officers brutalizing his subjects. Barongo said that  police officers don’t give them opportunity to explain why they are ferrying people.

Barongo also revealed that the police officers are extorting money from riders, they wait for them at sharp corners were there are no CCTV cameras.

“They ask for money in order to release the motorcycles before handing them over to police station.” He noted.

The secretary has asked the security personnel to cooperate with them noting that they are hardly surviving.

ASP Ednah Nyiraneza the acting District Police Commander – DPC Masindi condemned the act of his police officers, and told boda boda riders to treat them as individuals not Police as institution. The police officer has pledged to investigate on the matter, and if they are found guilty, the law will take it’s course.

Nyiraneza also cautioned riders not to pay money to recover their motorcycles noting that if they complain of police extortion they will be arrested.