The government of Uganda has issued new guidelines to be followed by all the boda boda riders in area of Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso.
The State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye while addressing the press at Uganda Media Center said that riders shall be identified by their stages to be gazetted by council authorities, and Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA for the case of Kampala.
This shall be done through the systems which will be put at the Resident City Commissioners, Their Deputies, Resident District Commissioners and Municipal Leaders
KCCA has since published a list of 579 stages the cabinet had approved for boda bodas in the five divisions of Kampala. Rubaga division was allocated 179 stages, Nakawa 146, Makindye 136, Kawempe 89 and Central division 32 stages.
Minister Kabuye emphasized that there shall be only 32 stages in the Central Business District of Kampala with at most 50 riders per stage.
The minister also noted that the guidelines are non-negotiable except when riders come with an amendment but not to eliminate any.
Effective March, training for riders in proper road use and traffic safety shall commence at different centres put by government.
“The Uganda Driver Licensing System and the police shall offer paid training to the riders and subject them to medical tests before they are given driving permits,” he said.
The Ministry of works has also offered a reduction on the fees for processing the drivers permit hence processing a one-year permit at 105,000 from 135,000 Shillings, and 135,000 Shillings for a three-year permit instead of the standard 230,000 Shillings. Kabuye said by 1st July 2022, no rider shall be allowed on the road without a driving permit.
Minister Kabuye also says that riders shall be given uniforms depending on their division of operation. The color of the uniforms (reflector jackets) shall be determined later in June. There are currently companies like Safe Boda which had already designed uniforms for their riders.
According to Kabuye, only registered boda boda riders shall be allowed to operate in Kampala Wakiso and Mukono. Any unregistered rider who risks being arrested.
The government also wants to strictly enforce provisions of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998 (Amendment) Act, 2020 including riders to have permits before getting on the road. All this is intended to improve road safety in the country and the capital city in particular.
These new guidelines are meant to curb down criminality in the industry well known for committing atrocities such as murder, robberies and theft through wrong elements hiding under the sector.
