In a remarkable display of bravery, Boda Boda riders in Kampala chased down and apprehended two panga-wielding thugs who had snatched a handbag from a teacher along Nakasero Road in the heart of Kampala City.
The victim, 36-year-old Hope Afoyotwoth, a teacher and resident of Kamwokya in the Kampala Central Division, was ambushed on her way home Wednesday evening. The assailants, riding a motorcycle with registration number UGA 868Z, blocked her path and threatened her with a panga before making off with her handbag. The stolen bag contained two mobile phones, Shs 5,000, body spray, and other personal items, with a total value estimated at Shs 1.2 million.
As the robbers sped away, Afoyotwoth raised an alarm, catching the attention of nearby Boda Boda riders. Without hesitation, the riders pursued the thugs from Nakasero Road, through Lumumba Avenue, and all the way to City Square. The determined chase ended when the suspects were cornered and overwhelmed by the riders, who then handed them over to the police at Central Police Station Kampala.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, praised the Boda Boda riders for their courageous and responsible actions. “They usually misbehave, but this time they did well by handing over these suspects to the police,” Onyango said. “Upon searching them, we recovered a sharp panga and all the victim’s belongings. The suspects have been charged with aggravated robbery and are awaiting trial.”
Frank Mawejje, the chairperson of Kawempe Boda Boda Riders, used the incident to call on Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to expedite the process of officially designating Boda Boda stages. He emphasized that this move would help streamline the industry and reduce criminal activities. “With KCCA’s gazetting of stages, we expect a crackdown on impostors masquerading as Boda Boda riders,” Mawejje stated. “Only certified and trained riders will gain access to allocated stages, thereby curbing the activities of criminals exploiting motorcycles for robbery and other illicit acts.”
The apprehension of these two suspects comes amid a rising wave of criminal activity in Kampala, where organized crime gangs, some using motorcycles, have increasingly targeted unsuspecting victims on public roads. This incident highlights the crucial role that vigilant and responsible community members can play in combating crime and ensuring the safety of their neighborhoods.