Boda boda rider Wycliffe Nyende found murdered, motorcycle stolen in Buikwe

Tragedy has struck the Buikwe District as a young boda boda rider, identified as Wycliffe Nyende, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. The 20-year-old resident of Bujuuta Village was discovered on Thursday morning in Bukaya East Village, along the Njeru–Nyenga–Katosi Highway.

Preliminary police investigations suggest that Nyende was ambushed and killed by unknown assailants who then fled with his motorcycle. His body was found in a trench, indicating a violent encounter before he was abandoned. The stolen motorcycle, a red Bajaj Boxer valued at approximately Shs4 million, has also been reported missing.

Ssezibwa Region Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto confirmed the incident, stating that the crime scene had been compromised before police could arrive, hindering initial investigative efforts. The deceased’s body has been transferred to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen motorcycle. They also issued a cautionary advisory to boda boda riders, urging them to exercise vigilance, avoid isolated routes during late hours, and be cautious of passengers.

Local residents believe Nyende may have picked up passengers heading towards the River Nile area in the early hours of Thursday, leading to the fatal encounter. The incident highlights a disturbing trend of attacks on boda boda riders across the country, where criminals often pose as passengers to lure riders to remote locations before stealing their motorcycles. The 2025 Police Crime Report indicated a significant number of robbery cases previously reported nationally.