By Matthew Okello
TORORO
The joint Bukedi security committee comprising of Resident District Commissioners, District Police Commanders, Regional Police Commanders and other sister security agencies have banned riding of numberless motorcycles as a move to fill the existing security gaps.
The move follows several killings and robbing of motorcycles from riders in Tororo district, and especially targeting Watu credit motorcycles.
These allegations forced security to have a meeting at Prime Hotel on Wednesday, 14th February, 2024 where Watu credit limited, a company that deals in issuance of motorcycles on credit was incorporated to give the security relevant information particularly about their tracking system that is rare.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the Tororo District Resident Commissioner, Nixon Owole said that the meeting agreed on joint coordination and cooperation to ensure that motorcycle theft and murder is dealt with conclusively.
Meanwhile, the meeting listed Busia as the district leading in theft followed by Tororo which all lie along the Uganda- Kenya border and the meeting agreed to strengthen surveillance in the interior districts of the sub region with a reasoning that this crime might spill over.
The meeting then resolved to suspend the operations of all the numberless motorcycles in the sub region because monitoring motorcycles without number plates is challenging.
Meanwhile, the meeting urged residents to remain vigilant arguing that the economy of the sub region can never thrive without the boda boda industry since it’s the major source of transport in the area.
Brian Azora, the Watu Credit marketing manager told the meeting that their company operates in different parts of the country and it’s only in Bukedi sub region particularly Tororo where they are experiencing insecurity related to their operations.
He allayed the fears of the general public regarding their tracking system noting that it’s efficient and its major purpose is to protect their customers.
Tororo district chairperson, John Okea noted that he has gone through the Watu package to the customers and realized it’s one of the best in the country however he asked them to be lenient to their customers particularly those who have cleared their debts to 70%.
