National Resistance Movement-NRM local leaders in Mbale have punished Boda-boda motorcyclists for openly supporting the opposition presidential candidate Kiiza Besigye.
Local NRM leaders allegedly decided to punish the cyclists by cutting down the trees which used to provide them with shade.
The boda-boda cyclists who operate along tree shades on Republic Street had patched up huge posters of Kiiza Besigye, to the chagrin of the local leaders.
Abubakar Kyeyune a cyclist who operates opposite Centenary Rural Development Bank, says the decision to cut down the trees has forced them to operate in a scorching sunshine.
Kyeyune appeals to municipal authorities to bring those responsible for cutting down the trees, to order.
Kamad Katende, a movement leader from Maluku, admits ordering the trees to be cut down. Katende is the director of keep Mbale clean- a company that cleans streets.
Katende says he ordered for the trees to be cut down to punish the boda-bodas for allegedly abusing passerbys. He explains that the cyclists had become unruly by setting up stages on spaces reserved as flower gardens.
He however does not explain where he derives his authority from.
Norbert Turyahika the Mbale Town Clerk feigned ignorance of the standoff between the cyclists and NRM leaders. He however explains that Katende is only charged with cleaning of streets not disciplining cyclists.
