Boda boda rider shot dead in Ndejje during street cleaning enforcement

A 38-year-old boda boda rider was shot dead in Kanaaba, Ndejje, in Makindye-Ssabagabo, on Saturday morning as police enforced movement restrictions during the second National Cleaning Day.

The deceased, Ronald Kizito Jjuuko, was reportedly shot shortly after 7 am by Allan Okello, an officer attached to Ndejje police post as security deployed in the area began enforcing a directive requiring members of the public to participate in the three-hour cleaning exercise.

According to residents, Jjuuko was riding towards his home when he encountered police officers enforcing the restrictions. They said he attempted to flee after being stopped, prompting one of the officers to open fire.

Hassan Ssezi, a resident of Kanaaba-Ndejje, said Jjuuko appeared not to have noticed the officers until he had passed their position.

“The officers were not even visible based on the area where they were standing. He had passed them a few metres when the officer shot him from behind, and he knocked the road barricade,” Ssezi said.

Ssezi said Jjuuko appeared to have worked through the night and was heading home before the movement restrictions for the cleaning exercise took effect.

Residents also alleged that some officers attached to Ndejje police post had previously exhibited what they described as erratic behaviour and drunkenness.

Jjuuko’s body was taken to Mulago City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala said investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether the use of force was justified and whether the officer followed established police procedures.

The shooting came hours after police warned that they would take tough measures against people who violated movement restrictions during the second National Cleaning Day.

In a statement issued on Friday, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma urged the public to cooperate with security personnel deployed to enforce the directive and avoid confrontations.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to cooperate with security personnel deployed to enforce the directive and to avoid confrontations, arguments or any form of altercation,” Kituuma said, warning that confrontations could result in the use of force and arrests.

Unlike the first National Cleaning Day on July 26, when police largely stopped motorists and only a few incidents of officers reportedly forcing civilians to clean were recorded, security agencies had warned that enforcement of Saturday’s exercise would be stricter.

Police maintained that officers were deployed to maintain public order and protect life and property, but stressed that any use of force must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.

The force has also said that firearms and other forms of force must be used in accordance with the law, established operational procedures and the circumstances prevailing at the time.

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