Boda Boda rider succumbs to bayonet injuries at Uganda police checkpoint

Boda Boda rider succumbs to bayonet injuries at Uganda police checkpoint
President Museveni has issued a string of measures aimed at containing the rapid spread of COVID-19 as Uganda is experiencing a second wave; all movement of public transport, private vehicles and commercial motorcycles banned for 42 days

Luwero, Uganda | URN | A motorcyclist who refused to stop at a Uganda Police Force checkpoint in Luwero district has passed on.

The deceased identified as Kassim Luyinda was stabbed at a Uganda police checkpoint at the Wakiso-Luwero border which was mounted to enforce presidential directives against cross-district border movement.

Nakigoza Parish Councilor Paul Ssinabulya Najja says that Luyinda who was riding a motorcycle registration number UFH 186G was allegedly hit by a gun bayonet held by a policeman at the checkpoint in Kiziri village in Kalagala sub-county.

Ssinabulya who is also the owner of the motorcycle says that Luyinda was travelling back from Wakiso district after transporting cargo for a client before he was stopped. He however attempted to proceed to Luwero at around 10:00 am, when he was hit with a bayonet.

Ssinabulya says that Luyinda was rushed to Bugema health centre with severe wounds but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Isah Ssemwogerere, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson said he did not have details about the said incident but makes reference to another incident in which a rider fell on a tyre cutter mounted on the road after he refused to stop and opted to ride alongside a pickup that was passing by.

Police checkpoint
Uganda Police checkpoint

Ssemwogerere said the body of the deceased is currently at Bugema health centre as investigations into the incident take shape. The police insist that the body will be transferred to Luwero hospital for postmortem before it is given back to the family as colleagues from Zirobwe demanded the body.

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Two weeks ago, a boda boda rider identified as John Kugonza, a a resident of Nyasonzi village in Mugusu town council in Kabarole district was shot dead by a UPDF soldier at Kibede trading centre, a few meters away from where security had put a checkpoint to enforce the travel ban for Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts.

President Museveni banned the inter-district movement in a bid to control the spread of COVID-19. The motorcyclists were allowed to transport only cargo.

Police in Luwero has so far impounded 92 motorcycles for breach of the directives and at least 72 have been released after they were issued with express penalties. 20 other riders cautioned and motorcycles released.