ARUA CITY POLICE COMMENCES OPERATIONS AGAINST TRAFFIC OFFENDERS

Police officers trying to help owners on procedure of payments. Photo by Godwin Abedican.
 
By Godwin Abedican
 
Arua City
 
The traffic police department in Arua city has commenced another phase of operations aimed at enforcing compliance to traffic rules and regulations in the city.
 
The operations that began on Tuesday 18^th February 2025 targets riders without helmets, side mirrors, nonfunctional lights and indicators, those carrying more than one passenger, lack of riding permits and riders without insurance led to the impounding of around 80 motorcycles.
 
ASP Sekagya Abdulatif, the OC Traffic Arua City has appealed to the members of the public to comply with traffic rules and avoid falling victims warning that those who will be arrested in the next phase of operations shall be taken directly to court
 
“We are punishing them by giving them tickets for express penalties to make payments in the bank as a warning. For, motorcycles that are in dangerous mechanical conditions, we are going to subject them to the Inspector of Vehicles (IOV) for inspection so that we can as well know the condition and the status. Those without sidemirrors we are compelling them to buy, those without crush helmets are given receipts while emphasizing they should bring helmets before receiving their motorcycles,” he warned.
 
Francis Kumakech a boda-boda rider narrates how he ended up in the hands of the traffic police.
 
“I went to town very well and when I was coming back, I was arrested by the police. At first, they told me the reason for my arrest was because I was not putting on a helmet. I went home and came with my helmet then hey changed another story that, I am not having a ridding permit. So, they were demanding 40 thousand shillings as fine before I get my motorcycle,” he said in an interview.
 
Meanwhile Norman Ayikobua, a boda-boda rider from Pajulu BAT, was left stranded on how he would recover his motorcycle based on the fines levied on him saying he didn’t have money to pay.
 
“I was on my way and they stopped me after which they asked me to produce my ridding permit which I don’t have.
 
I don’t have the money but when I get the money, I will go back to pick my motorbike from the police anytime,” Ayikobua narrated.
 
The OC however warns riders against paying monies to police officers.
 
“There is no need for anyone to pay money to police officers they are supposed to pay in the bank,” ASP Sekagya warned
 
By press time a number of the riders had already paid their monies in the bank and started picking back their motorcycles from the police parking yard.
 

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