On Monday, Lira City was brought to a standstill as boda-boda riders took to the streets in a powerful protest. They were demonstrating against the arrest of one of their fellow operators, an incident that disrupted daily life and business in several busy areas across the city.
The riders claim their arrested colleague had followed all the rules. They stated he had paid the required fee of UGX 35,000 and received a valid identification card from the Lira City Council, making his arrest seem unfair and unexplained.
To show their anger, the protesters blocked parts of the main Lira-Soroti Road and Juba Road. They used stones and logs, some of which were set on fire, stopping all traffic for about an hour. This caused significant disruption for businesses and commuters.
Initially, a small police team from Lira City Central Police Station struggled to control the large crowd. Reports suggest a police patrol vehicle was damaged by stones during the confrontation. However, police reinforcements soon arrived. They managed to disperse the protesters, clear the roads, and restore normal traffic flow.
The protesting riders clearly stated their demands: they want their colleague released immediately and a clear explanation for his arrest. As of the time of reporting, neither the police nor the city authorities have made any official statement about the incident.