EDITOR
The High Court of Uganda at Rukungiri, presided over by Justice Tom Chemutai, has handed down a 65-year sentence to three men—Niwagaba Joab, Ainembabazi Onesmus, and Ariho Morris—convicted of the brutal murder and aggravated robbery of a boda-boda rider, Muhumuza Isaac. The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, concludes a tragic case that highlights the dangers faced by boda-boda riders in Uganda.
The chilling events began on November 15, 2021, when Muhumuza, a young man new to the boda-boda business, was lured into a deadly trap by his friend and fellow rider, Ariho Morris. Under the pretext of showing Muhumuza stolen fuel hidden at a local construction site, Ariho led him to a remote area in Rushoroza Cell, Kanungu District, where his accomplices, Niwagaba and Ainembabazi, awaited.
Their plan was to steal Muhumuza’s motorcycle, valued at UGX 5 million, and eliminate him. After taking the motorcycle to a farm owned by Niwagaba’s grandfather, the three men brutally attacked Muhumuza. Ariho, armed with a hoe provided by Niwagaba, struck him repeatedly on the head, killing him instantly. They then buried his body under a tree on the farm and fled with the motorcycle.
Their crime began to unravel when they tried to sell the motorcycle in spare parts in Kanungu Town Council, raising suspicion among the police. Niwagaba fled and hid with relatives but was eventually arrested, leading to the capture of Ariho and Ainembabazi. During interrogation, all three confessed to the crime and revealed the location of Muhumuza’s body, which was exhumed by authorities.
The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Anthony Kurugyishuri from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Rukungiri, presented overwhelming evidence, leaving no doubt about the defendants’ guilt. Justice Chemutai, in his ruling, described the crime as heinous and sentenced each of the men to 65 years for both murder and aggravated robbery. The sentences will run concurrently.
This ruling brings justice for Muhumuza’s family, but also serves as a grim reminder of the risks boda-boda riders face, especially in remote areas. The case has sparked widespread concern about the safety of riders, with many calling for increased protection and stricter measures to prevent similar crimes.
