BUSHENYI
Police in Greater Bushenyi are investigating an alleged case of malicious damage and arson after a taxi belonging to the chairperson of the Mbarara–Ishaka taxi stage was set on fire amid escalating leadership wrangles among taxi operators.
The vehicle, a Toyota Sprinter registration number UAB 782B, owned by Ntwirenabo Silver, was torched at about 8:00am on Friday, January 2, 2026, opposite Gaz Fuel Station in Ishaka town.
Police preliminary findings indicate that the vehicle was deliberately set ablaze following a clash between taxi operators and the stage chairman over the management of taxis.
The Regional Police Public Relations Officer for Greater Bushenyi, SP Apollo Tayebwa, said officers responded promptly to the scene and managed to contain the fire before the vehicle was completely destroyed.
“We swiftly responded and managed to extinguish the fire that was already gutting the vehicle, preventing total destruction. Fortunately, no life was injured or lost,” SP Tayebwa said.
He added that investigations are ongoing and that any arrests will be guided by the findings.
“We strongly urge the general public to always seek the intervention of Police and other relevant authorities in the event of misunderstandings, instead of taking the law into their own hands,” he said, adding that police will keep the public updated on any developments.
Meanwhile, conflicting accounts have emerged from taxi leaders. Yasin Kyoota, the newly elected chairperson of the Taxi Drivers’ Cooperatives Union, alleged that a group of drivers led by Arthur Mucunguzi and Muhammad Lukwago set the vehicle on fire themselves.
Kyoota accused the duo of extorting money from drivers and said CCTV cameras installed in the area would help establish what exactly happened.
The incident comes amid ongoing demonstrations by taxi drivers and operators in Ishaka town, sparked by deepening divisions within the sector.
The protests, which started on Friday morning, involve two rival factions, one opposing the new leadership decision to register new unions and another protesting the old guard for sabotaging operations.
Police says no injuries or life was lost, but disclosed that investigations continue.
