Tension is high in Masaka town after a Boda boda motorcyclist decided to set on fire himself in the traffic office at Masaka Central Police Station this morning.
Hussein Walugembe, who has been operating at Buddu Shell Fuel Pump Station, reportedly doused his body with petrol he had carried in a mineral water bottle concealed in his jacket before he set himself a blaze.
According to preliminary information, Walugembe had gone to the police station to follow up on his motorcycle registration number UEF 145L that was impounded on Monday this week during curfew.
Walugembe’s friend, Agnes Namubiru says the deceased told her that police had asked him for Shillings 100,000 to release his motorcycle but he couldn’t raise the money.
She says that Walugembe committed suicide after going to the police station this morning to seek help from a traffic officer to recover his motorcycle in vain.
The death of Walugembe prompted his colleagues to storm Masaka Police station protesting what they called persistent persecution by security authorities.
Hussein Ssenabulya, the Chairperson Masaka Boda boda Rider Association, says they are saddened by their colleagues’ actions, which he blames on police harassment. Mr. Hussein on Police speaking;…
Enock Ambaine, the Southern Region Police Commander, says that he has instructed the Professional Standards Unit to open a general inquiry file to investigate the matter. ENDS .