Horror gripped Masaka Central Police station this Thursday morning when Hussein Walugembe, a boda boda rider set himself ablaze after failing to recover his motorbike that had been impounded.
Walugembe’s motorbike was impounded on Tuesday for flouting curfew guidelines. Walugembe’s friend Yasin Kalyango was the one riding the motorbike when it was impounded.
Police officers tried to put out the fire using jerrycans of water but they were unsuccessful because Kalyango doused petrol on himself and his heavy jacket before lighting the fire.
The cops had to borrow a fire extinguisher from Shell Buddu Petrol station that is opposite the police station.
A police officer in the traffic department sustained burns during the incident.
Boda boda men in Masaka said that cops usually demand between Shs150,000 and Shs100,000 before they can return the motorbikes but Walugembe didn’t have the money.
“This incident is regrettable. We have already ordered Police Professional Standards Unit to investigate and once we find any of our officers culpable, he or she will face the law,” Enoch Abaine, the Southern Region police Commander said.