By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Over the years, boda boda cyclists have been pointed at as some of the leading causes of accidents on Uganda’s roads.
As a result of this, Faridah Mayanja Mpiima, the Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC), has called up government and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), to put in place stricter regulations to govern the Boda boda operations within metropolitan Kampala.
Mayanja said there is a strong need to regulate the motorcycle sector to control
road carnage in Kampala and its suburbs.
Mayanja said that currently there are no clear guidelines or criteria to control Boda boda operators, something has left everyone using them facing various risks, which include among others loss of life, property, plus permanent bodily injuries .
“Whoever gets some money decides to buy a motorcycle even those without any training, a driving permit or any kind of training. This is the reason why motorcycles are the main cause of accidents in Kampala city. We need to put in place strict regulations and punishment for road offenders,” Mayanja said.
The RCC made these remarks during the unveiling of a new motorcycle brand Hero to the Ugandan market by Mantra Motorbike EA Ltd, at the their showroom located at 1st Industrial Area in Kampala.
Mohamad Khard, Country Uganda Mantra Motorbike East Africa Ltd and MAC East Africa, noted that the motorcycle business in Uganda is growing at a speedy pace hence the need for new products that are fast safe and durable.
“The motorcycle taxi industry is presently growing rapidly and therefore calls for motorcycles that are leading with innovation, performance and plus comfort which are the attributes of our new bikes” Mohamad said.
His Excellence Ravi Shankar, the ambassador of India to Uganda who was at the event, praised the government of Uganda for creating a conducive environment for investments to strive.
HE Shankar said “The relationship between Uganda and India has been growing steadily. The Hero bikes will make a great contribution to the Ugandan market. I want to congratulate Mantra Motorbike for the new products.”
It should be remembered that on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, the Ngora County MP, David Abala, tabled a motion calling on government to regulate the business of buying and selling motorcycles and the related spare parts, develop a monitoring system where all people involved in the business of buying and selling Boda-bodas and spare parts must declare the source of their business stock on a regular basis.
He also proposed heavy penalties for crimes related to Boda-boda theft and murders involving boda-boda riders.
Pentagon Kamusiime, the Butemba County MP, said the Boda boda industry needs to be organized, saying frustrating it would kill the country’s economy.
He said Government needs to look at developing the industry including training and grouping the riders to a certain arrangement.
John Twesigye, the Bunyaruguru MP in Rubirizi district, called for the installation of trackers and registration of all riders and motorbikes.
Geoffrey Macho, the Busia Municipality MP, said Government should benchmark on how Kenya has managed the Boda boda industry and deploy more security officers at border points.
Betty Bamukwatsa, the Rukungiri Woman said Government should learn from Safe boda and taxify, which are considered safe and smart.
Hajjati Rehema Watongola, the Kamuli Municipality MP, said the sale of old motorcycle spare parts and second hand motorbikes is fueling the killing of boda boda riders.
Syda Bbumba, the Gender minister and Nakaseke North MP, said Boda Boda riders are unqualified and put passengers in a deadly position. She said many of them don’t know how to use the road.
Vincent Ssempijja, the Agriculture Minister, who represented the Prime Minister during the plenary session, said since the Boda boda industry touches on issues from several ministries like Security, Internal Affairs, Transport, Works and Kampala among others, Government should be given time up to next week to present a detailed statement.
Hero motorbikes are assembled in Ntinda and distributed to different parts of Uganda like Mbale, Arua, Isingiro and central Uganda.
