Kenyans Jailed in Uganda After Botched Leisure Mission

Inmates at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison pictured on March 22, 2016
Inmates at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison pictured on March 22, 2016
Daily Nation

At least three Kenyan nationals are languishing in Uganda police cells after a run to collect coveted goods from the country landed them in police hands.

According to a report by Citizen TV on Tuesday, April 14, the unfortunate detainees were part of a daring group of boda boda riders in Busia County who regularly made runs into the neighbouring country.

The risky operation by the boda boda riders was undertaken with disregard for the border closure instituted by Uganda with those involved using unofficial routes to access the country.

Boda boda riders at the junction of Kirinyaga and Racecourse Road in Nairobi on June 27, 2017.
Boda boda riders at the junction of Kirinyaga and Racecourse Road in Nairobi on June 27, 2017.
File

Reports indicate that the operators travel to Uganda in search of cheaper alcohol. They also buy maize and cassava from the neighbouring country at more affordable prices than they would get in the country.

It was while on one of these runs that the three were arrested by Ugandan police officers.

The head of the Boda Boda Association in Teso South, Busia County, David Idewo, confirmed that the three had been caught crossing the border.

"We have had at least three cases, our boys cross, are arrested and taken to the cells in the country," stated Idewo.

The boda boda chair stated that they had attempted to have the men released but with little success.

"We have tried but to no avail. Those men are still behind bars," confirmed Idewo.

A fellow boda boda operator in Busia pleaded with the state to intervene and provide means through which the arrested persons could be accessed by their comrades.

"We are pleading to the government of Kenya to help us so we can also help our citizens. They will need to come up with means with which we can go and check in on our members who are under arrest in the country," he stated.

The arrests come in the wake of an extension to the 21-day lockdown that had been in force in Uganda.

President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday, April 14 announced that the lockdown period would continue for another 21 days beginning April 15 to May 5.

"The government has decided to keep the stay-home decision for another 21 days starting tomorrow. This is meant to allow us to study the situation longer. All previous measures still stand," stated Museveni.

Uganda has 54 confirmed Covid-19 cases to date. 

Watch the video report below:

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