BUVUMA.
The Regional Police Commander for Ssezibwa Jaffer Magezi has halted services of Traffic Police in the island district of Buvuma following complaints from locals that traffic officers have been extorting money from motorists on a daily basis.
Locals reported the matter to the RPC during a public dialogue meeting (Baraaza) held at Kitamiiro landing site in Buvuma Town Council, Buvuma District organised by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner Patrick Mubiru and other leaders in the district on Tuesday.
The meeting was organised to address community concerns ahead of the presidential visit to the Greater Mukono area which covers the districts of Buvuma, Buikwe, Kayunga and Mukono . President Museveni is expected in the area last this week to assess the progress of Parish Development Model performance in various districts.
Mr Hassan Muwanga, a resident of Nambalire Village, Kirongo Ward in Busamuzi Sub County noted that from Kirongo landing site to Bukayo Village, a bodaboda normally charges Shs 2000 , but because of the continued extortion from motorcyclists , they charge passengers an extra Shs. 2000 to bribe officers on the way.
“We hustle to see how we make ends meet and to our dissatisfaction we’re being o over charged of our hard earned money to bribe officers on the road and this has been a routine for years. We plead with the RPC to act this time because we’ve reported this matter to several officers and little or no intervention has been made ” Muwanga explained in disbelief.
Another boda boda rider who preferred anonymity explained that his motorcycle was confiscated for weeks following his defiance to pay the mandatory Shs2000 to one of the officers who forcefully asked for money when he was reserving school fees for her daughter.
“My daughter has missed school for days and the only money I had that morning was meant to cover for her school dues so I refused to pay the mandatory bribe levied by those cold hearted officers and what followed was confiscation of my motorcycle for weeks on false accounts until I adhered to their demands” He explained with tears rolling down his cheeks .
Gerald Ndugga another resident cited continued extortion while reporting cases at Police charging them between Shs. 100,000 to 300,000 to cause an arrest which is really a disservice to the community.
“This trend is cutting across the entire force and i want the DPC to explain before you RPC why every time we have to report matters to Police requiring arrests they charge us ranging from Shs. 100, 000 to 300,000 and we want to know whether this fee is legal “he said
In response Mr Magezi ordered the DPC to constitute a committee to make thorough investigations and establish the authenticity of the claims and also suspended with immediate effect traffic operations in the area until investigations are concluded.
“Let the DPC ensure that all traffic officers immediately withdraw from the road until further notice. I am to liaise with the Regional Traffic Police Officer and come up with a conclusive response on this matter,” Magezi said.
Ssezibwa Police Region comprise of the districts of Buikwe, Kayunga, Buvuma and part of Mukono. Buvuma Police Division is commanded by the DPC, Michael Bagoole and in attendance was Buvuma Deputy Resident District Commissioner Patrick Mubiru among leaders like the Buvuma MP Robert Migadde Ndugwa, the Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO) Alex Ssebunya, among others.
Mr Magezi said that giving police officers money is illegal. “I have constituted a committee to investigate the particular traffic police officers who are involved and if evidence pinning them is found, they will face the Police disciplinary committee,” he said.
Ssezibwa Regional Traffic Officer SP Andrew Kabaya said he is yet to be informed about the directive .