The call was made during the meeting with more than 1000 commercial motorcyclists operating in different parts of Nyagatare District, on Tuesday 9th November 2021 at Nyagatare stadium where Police and local leaders pointed out a number of unlawful acts involving taxi-moto operators and in which some of them have been arrested.

The taxi-moto operators are organized in 21 cooperatives registered and operating in Nyagatare.

Some of highlighted crimes involving the motorcyclists include smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal cross-border.

In the last three months, 28 taxi-moto operators have been arrested in Nyagatare District while transporting smuggled goods, drug trafficking and facilitating people to cross illegally through porous borders.

The outreach aimed at emphasizing the ideals of community policing, and was presided over by the Governor of the Eastern Province, CG Emmanuel K. Gasana and the Regional Police Commander (RPC), Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Hatari.

The campaign also involved testimonies from reformed motorcyclists, who were previously engaging in or facilitating wrongdoers. They encouraged colleagues to be responsive, look at their transport profession as their way to better their lives and family development.

The campaign also tackled the issue of road safety with taxi-moto operators identified as one of the vulnerable groups largely because of their recklessness on the road.

Governor Gasana reminded the motorcyclists to improve their wellbeing through the right channels.

"If you want to cross the border, use the legal crossing points with legal documents. You also need to report anything illegal, boost your cooperatives and join Ejo Heza saving scheme," he told the motorcyclists.

Ejo Heza is an inclusive scheme targeting both salaried and non-salaried workers to help accumulate savings for a dignified and secure old age.

RPC, CP Hatari warned of the repercussions for engaging in criminal practices like drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal cross-border and reckless road usage.

"You risk arrest and long term imprisonment, auctioning your motorcycle because the law stipulates that any mobile impounded smuggling goods must be auctioned and the owner is slapped fines," CP Hatari told the taxi-moto operators.

Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.

The automobile used in fraud and smuggling, is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5,000.

Trafficking drugs also attracts a sentence of between seven years and life in prison.

"There are so many risks involved in illegal cross-border because some of them have been arrested and beaten when they are caught in Uganda," CP Hatari noted.

He went on to urge them against riding under the influence or alcohol, regulate their speed and to avoid reckless maneuvers, which lead to accident and loss of lives.

The campaign is expected to be extended to all the remaining districts of Eastern Province.

Officials in a meeting with motorcyclists in Nyagatare.