There was running battles on Monday between police and a section of boda boda riders who staged riots at various spots over high fuel prices.
The motorcyclists took to various trading centers burning tyres and blocking roads with heavy blocks bringing traffic and business alike to a standstill. The protests were clearly seen at Mafubira, Namulesa, Wakitaka, Nakabango, Nsuube, Muguluka and Buwenge trading Centers.
Fuming locals claiming to be boda boda operators claim the standard of living is off the roof and yet fuel prices continue to increase. They fault the government and MP’s for failing to address concerns of high fuel which is affecting providing for their families.
The foaming protests were however foiled by security officers who fired teargas and opened fire randomly to disperse the spirited crowds. Police officers were compelled to react after attempts to disperse the crowds peacefully got out of hand.
A large crowd of protesters at the Jinja-Kamuli highway,started pelting stones at security personnel while burning tyres. The protestors also attacked their colleagues who had failed to join them in the strike.
The Kiira regional police spokesperson, James Mubi says that footage retrieved from their highway CCTV cameras shows a numberless saloon car making stopovers at different points along the Jinja-Kamuli highway and issuing whistles, vuvuzelas, and old tyres, among other unidentified items to random motorcyclists with the aim of aiding the protest.
He says preliminary information suggests that selected individuals are employing motorcyclists to fuel the protest.
