Masindi Police Probe Killing of Boda-Boda Rider

Police in Masindi District have launched investigations into the killing of a 20-year-old boda-boda rider whose body was found dumped in a sugarcane plantation, days after he went missing while transporting two passengers.

The deceased, Wonya Azallia, was a resident of Katakungirwa Village, Ntoma Parish, Bwijanga Sub-county.

According to information obtained by Uganda Radio Network (URN), Azallia disappeared on July 19 after he was hired by two men at Katakungirwa Boda-Boda Stage to take them to Kyamalorere Village in Bwijanga Sub-county.

He never returned to the stage, prompting colleagues and residents to search for him before reporting his disappearance to Bwijanga Police Station.

His body was found on Thursday in a sugarcane plantation in Byebeja Village, Bwijanga Sub-county.

It had bruises on the neck, hands and legs, suggesting he may have been strangled before the body was dumped. Police also recovered his motorcycle, registration number UGE 636P, about 300 metres from where the body was found.

Jackson Wandera, a friend of the deceased, urged police to conduct thorough investigations and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

Another boda-boda rider, Rogers Babyenda, said investigators should establish the motive behind the killing to help prevent similar attacks.

Bwijanga Sub-county LC III Chairperson Wilson Kyalisiima condemned the killing and urged boda-boda riders to exercise caution when carrying unfamiliar passengers.

He advised riders to inform colleagues or stage leaders of their destination before setting off.

Albertine Regional Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza said officers documented the scene before taking the body to Masindi Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination.

He said detectives have begun gathering evidence to establish the motive behind the killing and appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

The murder comes barely a week after another 20-year-old boda-boda rider, Musilamu Tamale, was found dead in neighbouring Kagadi District under similar circumstances.

Tamale, a resident of Kiryanga Village in Kiryanga Sub-county, reportedly disappeared after being hired by a female passenger from his boda-boda stage.