Sunday, May 3, 2009
News May 1, 2009
Makerere
Makerere University has barred Boda Boda cyclists and taxis from entering the institution between 9.00pm and 6.00 am to strengthen the security. The decision was reached during a meeting that was held by the university administration last week.
A letter from the deputy vice chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration Prof David.J Bakibinga dated April 22, 2009 to the Chief Security Officer, said that Boda Boda cyclists will only be allowed to operate at the university during day hours.
“Motor-cyclists shall only be permitted to enter the campus to drop the passengers between 6.30 a.m and 9.00 pm,” Prof Bakibinga said adding that those who contravenes will be liable to have his Motorcycle impounded.
The impounded property will only be returned to the owner upon payment of Ushs10,000 and an additional Ushs10,000 per day for each day impounded and unclaimed, which money he said will be deposited in the security department account to top up the salaries of the security staff.
The move is aimed at protecting students at the university campus.
This decision came barely a month when the Chief Security Officer Mr. Bahimbise Johnson wrote a letter to the university warning that the institution has become a target of terrorists.Mr Bahimbise said the terrorists have enlisted the university as one of their targets, who often use boda boda riders as accomplices to fulfill their acts of terror once they reach the university premises.
"Most crimes which have been committed herein have always had involvements of such boda boda riders. Very rarely they are on the subject of investigations," the letter reads in part. He said female students and staff are the most affected by the suspects. "Most of our female students and female staff have been victims to their practices," Bahimbise reiterated.
Over the last two months, female students and lecturers have had their property worth thousands of shillings stolen including phones, lap tops and cash. He warned the university community against disclosing their whereabouts.However, the University Publicity Mr Gilbert Kadilo said the decision was administrative and no one will be compromised upon violating it.
Isaac Khisa & Joshua Masinde
