In a decisive move aimed at restoring public trust and rooting out corruption within the force, the Ssezibwa Regional Police Commander (RPC), Jaffer Magezi, has suspended traffic police operations in Buvuma district following widespread allegations of daily extortion from road users, particularly bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) riders.
The suspension, which took effect immediately, comes after a flurry of complaints from residents during a community “Baraza” (public dialogue) held at Kitamiiro landing site in Buvuma Town Council.
The forum, organized by Buvuma Deputy Resident District Commissioner Patrick Mubiru, attracted a host of local leaders, area Member of Parliament Robert Migadde Ndugwa, the Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO) Alex Ssebunya, and various National Resistance Movement (NRM) officials.
Residents accused traffic police officers of instituting a mandatory daily “fee” of sh2,000 from every bodaboda rider—a practice that has reportedly doubled the cost of transport for passengers on short routes.
“From Kirongo landing site to Bukayo village, we should be paying sh2,000. But now we pay sh4,000, just because the traffic police take sh2,000 every day from the riders,” lamented Hassan Muwanga, a resident of Nambalire village.
Another bodaboda rider, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, revealed that this extortion has persisted for over a decade.
“If you fail to pay, they impound your motorcycle and only release it after payment. It’s something we’ve just gotten used to.”
In response, RPC Magezi ordered an immediate withdrawal of all traffic officers from the roads in Buvuma and announced the formation of a committee to investigate the allegations.
“Let the District Police Commander (DPC) ensure that all traffic officers immediately withdraw from the road until further notice. I am working closely with the Regional Traffic Police Officer to develop a conclusive plan of action,” Magezi said.
Buvuma, part of the Ssezibwa region that also includes Buikwe and Kayunga, falls under the command of DPC Michael Bagoole.
Despite the urgency of the matter, Ssezibwa Regional Traffic Police Andrew Kabaya said over a week later that he had not yet been officially informed about the suspension.
The accusations extended beyond traffic operations. Locals voiced frustration over routine demands for money by officers at Buvuma Central Police Station for services that should be free.
These include fees to facilitate arrests, issuance of police bonds, and even for providing backing letters required to renew national identification documents.
Gerald Kibuuka, a resident, recounted being asked to pay sh20,000 for police to respond to an assault report he had filed.
“There were police motorcycles and patrol pickups right at the station. Are we really supposed to fuel police vehicles ourselves?” he asked.
In a stern warning, RPC Magezi said any police officer found extorting money in exchange for official services would face severe disciplinary action.
“Demanding money for a police bond, a backing letter for a lost ID, or to investigate a crime is illegal. Officers involved in such practices will be subject to dismissal, demotion, or other disciplinary measures,” he emphasized.
Magezi’s move has been welcomed by many in Buvuma, though residents await concrete outcomes from the ongoing investigations.
For a district long plagued by systemic corruption within its law enforcement, the RPC’s intervention may signal the beginning of long-overdue reform.
English 