Hundreds of Boda boda riders in Kabale, Rukiga, Rubanda and Kisoro districts are in tears after losing their hard-earned to Hill Motors Limited in a motorcycle loan scam. Hill Motors Limited opened an office in Kigongi in the Central Division of Kabale Municipality last month. The company invited riders to secure motorcycles on loan.
According to the company guidelines, each rider was expected to make an initial deposit of Shillings 680,000 out of the required Shillings 6million to access a motorcycle and Shilling 8.5million for the tricycle alias Tuk Tuk. The riders would be expected to make a weekly deposit of Shillings 55,500 for a motorcycle and Shillings 88,600 for the tricycle.
The company promised to deliver motorcycles and tricycles for the successful applicants on Wednesday the afternoon during a mega launch to be attended by Godfrey Nyakahuma, the Kabale Resident District Commissioner.
However, the riders were shocked when they arrived at the company’s office and found it closed. They waited in vain for the workers to open. When they tried to consult neighbours, they were told that workers were seen parking and leaving around 05:30 AM. The affected clients walked to Kabale central police station in a shock to consult what to do.
Alex Niwagaba, the General Secretary of Kabale Boda Bodas Association, says that the administration of Hill Motors Limited has been moving on different radio stations in Kabale town popularizing their business as genuine. Niwagaba says that the company has also been promising to deliver motorcycles to their clients once they make the deposit.
Ivan Mbabazi, one of the affected Boda boda riders from Rubanda district says that one of the company employees he only identified as Reuben convinced him to join the scheme. Mbabazi faults Kabale Municipality authorities for issuing a trading license to Hill Motors Limited without due diligence.
Abel Ruganza, the Kabale District Police Commander, says that so far more than 100 people have recorded complaints against the company at Kabale Central Police Station. Ruganza says that the police are doing everything possible to ensure that the suspects are arrested.
Boda boda riders attempted to vandalize the building where the company was renting but were calmed down by Ruganza and Reuben Mutabaazi, the Kabale District Internal Security Officer. This comes a month after hundreds of businessmen, religious leaders, teachers, and security officers in Kabale and Rubanda districts were fleeced by Bridge Water Stocks, an online cryptocurrency company.
The company that abruptly shut down started attracting locals mid-last year. Hundreds of people had invested money in the company with an assurance of receiving massive profits after a specified period. Every client would also get a bonus after recruiting another. In 2006, hundreds of Kabale residents lost their money to Caring for Orphans, Widows, and the Elderly-COWE, a local non-governmental organization that encouraged residents to save with the organization, saying it would double their savings. However, the NGO abruptly shut down leaving locals in tears.
In March 2011, the then Kabale Chief Magistrate’s court sentenced Nickson Balikoowa, the former National Secretary of COWE and former Kigezi region Coordinator, Sedi Kesiime to four years in jail. Court also ordered the duo to pay a fine of 450 million Shillings to their victims.
However, Kabale High Court quashed the ruling, which saw the duo regain their freedom. In January 2016, President Yoweri Museveni directed then Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda to intervene and help the scam victims, but nothing wasdone.
