AIGP Bamunoba Demands End to Motorist Extortion, Warns Against Mob Justice

Police Asked to Regulate Roadblocks and Fight Extortion

Police in the Elgon region have been urged to investigate reports of illegal roadblocks along major highways, particularly those targeting motorists, and to intensify efforts against extortion.

The call was made by AIGP Bamunoba Ubaldo, the Chief Political Commissar of the Uganda Police Force, during a morning radio engagement on Elgon FM 101.4 in Mbale on Wednesday.

AIGP Bamunoba had earlier represented the Uganda Police at the burial of Police Constable Sulaiman Chemongesi in Kapchorwa on Tuesday. Chemongesi was brutally killed by a mob in Ibanda over the weekend, an act the police have strongly condemned.

While responding to callers on the radio show, AIGP Bamunoba addressed complaints of excessive and exploitative behavior by officers along the Mbale–Lwakhakha road, specifically in the Bubutu section, where motorists, especially boda boda riders, taxi operators, and truck drivers, have reportedly faced extortion.

He emphasized that the purpose of roadblocks should be to enhance public security—not to harass or extort members of the public. He called on officers to respect people’s freedom of movement and only conduct checks when necessary to combat crime.

AIGP Bamunoba encouraged motorists to report any misconduct by officers to the appropriate police authorities such as the DPC (District Police Commander) or RPC (Regional Police Commander).

He also issued a strong warning to the public against engaging in mob justice, urging communities to trust the justice system.

Peter Walyaula, a motorist from Namitsa Sub-county in Namisindwa, welcomed the directive, calling it timely. He emphasized that peaceful coexistence between security forces and the public is the only way forward.