OPERATION AGAINST TRICYCLE RIDERS LEADS TO ARREST OF 12 IN ARUA CITY

Some of the impounded tri-cycles at Arua CPS.
 
By Godwin Abedican
 
Arua City
 
The police and traffic department in Arua city has commenced operations to arrest riders and impounding of their tricycles commonly referred to as “Raksas” on the city roads.
 
These arrests over unlawful operations and violating traffic rules aimed at cleaning up and bringing order among the riders of tricycles comes after several warnings to the riders by the authorities.
 
According to the authorities, it has been realized that of late the tricycle riders have become a menace in the city and if attention is not paid, their operations the city is bond to see loss of lives.
 
Senior Superintendent of Police Denis Ochama, the Regional Police Commander (RPC) West Nile says that, those arrested will be arraigned before court to face the law accordingly.
 
“Away from the Boda-boda riders, the tri-cyclists have become a problem in this city. We have warned them severally but they have not listened to what our warnings have been. The riders first of all are young. They ride the way they want; they overtake where it is not necessary, they overload, they park anyhow. We need orderliness and the riders must conform to the traffic guidelines. When we bring the tricycles here, we are looking for the owners. They must come here because they have answers to give us,” the RPC explained.
 
Denis Ochama, RPC West Nile.
 
About the arrested, the RPC says that those in custody are expected to be produced before the courts of law.
 
“We saw it as a concern and we those who are giving these riders the tricycles are going to be penalized because I didn’t think those young boys can afford to buy those tricycles. These people are going to be taken to court. They must appear so that people can know how bad the situation is,” he added.
 
According to Kumakech Salim, the Resident City Commissioner Arua, the operations shall continue so that road users are secure in their day to day activities
 
“The operations against tricycle riders just like any other operations on the roads and public places is a normal one. Remember these tricycles also cause accidents. We are trying to say, can we regulate movements and even any are riding without the approval of the city authorities. I know it’s a source of employment but it should be an employment that is regulated and guided so that public safety is provided for. So, I want to ask the tricyclists to cooperate with the enforcement officers,” Kumakech remarked during an interview.
 
Kumakech Salim, Arua RCC speaking to Radio Pacis.

According to the Ochama, if the riders and owners are ready to cooperate with the authorities, they can be given some time to reorganize before being permitted to operate on the roads
 
By Tuesday January 14, 2025, there were 12 riders and 12 tricycles under police custody with the riders expected to be produced in court to face charges related to different traffic offences ranging from lack of number plates, riding machines under dangerous mechanical conditions, lack of reactors for the riders and on the tricycles, lack of permits and riding while underage.
 
 
 
 

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