Easy Matatu rescues drivers hit by Covid-19 lockdown 

Easy Matatu, a tech company that provides commuter transport, has launched an initiative to support its drivers and their families with household expenses amid the lockdown dry spell.

In a statement, the tech company said it will provide direct help to its drivers with household supplies that include food, groceries and sanitary items to enable them easily sustain themselves during the lockdown period.

The firm said it will make door-to-door stops, delivering the household items to 36 drivers in different parts of Kampala as it seeks to ease their financial distress until normal business operations resume.

The lockdown which was instated to curtail the unprecedented pressure on hospitals due to a surge in Covid-19 deaths and infections across the country, saw the closure of many business centres and a ban on both public and private transportation.

Andrew Lema, the CEO, Easy Matatu, said most if not all taxi drivers live hand to mouth and being forced to stay at home means that they are unable to make a living to feed themselves and their families let alone provide necessary supplies.

"We want to be there for our drivers in this hard time and this is what Easy Matatu is about," Lema said.

To facilitate the movement of essential workers during lockdown, Easy Matatu has also partnered with several businesses and institutions to provide affordable and convenient transport means to their employees.

Lema said Easy Matatu provides seamless pre-booking for employees with shared costing between staff and the organisation.

"Our platform can configure pricing for each employee based on the distance from their pickup and have them pay a fraction of the cost and the employer does the top-up," he said.