There was drama as police failed to whisk away Ibrahim Bagaya, a third-year Bachelor of Social Sciences student, from the headquarters of Crane Bank after he staged a hunger strike protesting over missing money on his account following a two-time failed transaction from an automated teller machine at the university. 

“I am demanding for my money. This bank has stolen my Shs800,000. The youth are demonstrating for the youth funds. Do you want me also to demonstrate for my money? Is it your money? Then leave me and I get my money from this bank,” he said. A police officer coaxed the student to enter the banking hall and meet the managers for an amicable settlement where he later emerged smiling having been told to check on his ATM machine.

Mr Bagaya said he was riled on Monday after raising a complaint with the bank about the matter, only to be told that his case could only be resolved after eight weeks yet he needed the money to send to a sick relative. He reported a case of theft against the bank at Makerere Police Post. 

“These people understand the language government also understands. Unless you use force, they will never act. I want the balance of Shs500,000 tomorrow lest I strike again,” he said.

In a press conference after he had left, Ajay Kumar, the Crane Bank deputy managing director, said the bank was considering pressing charges of defamation against Mr Bagaya but blamed the incident on Bank of Uganda. 

“This is an issue of bank of Uganda. Yes he raised a complaint on Monday and we said the matter would be resolved after one day. What was wrong was him waiting for one day instead of causing unnecessary attention,” Mr Ajay asked.

Source: Daily Monitor