Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, has tasked boda boda motorists in Kampala to embrace the instituted training and registration of the various groups, an activity meant to rid the sector of criminals.
Speaking during the launch of the training and registration exercise in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, Nabbanja revealed that only registered and trained boda boda riders shall be allowed to operate in Kampala.
Nabbanja urged riders to shun negative voices discouraging them from registering and training, saying it is through this exercise that they shall be able to formalise their operations in the City.
"We need 7000 [boda boda riders] in the central business area. You will realise that most of the architects we have are in the central business area. Worldwide you can never find those boda bodas in those cities. We are trying to see that our city is habitable. Gone are days when we just look on," she said.
She explained that the launch of the registration of boda boda riders in Kampala is one way to organise the industry, train them on road use to reduce accidents, weed out wrong elements and ensure safety and security.
The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala said that they are working with Kampala Capital City Authority to put in place the necessities.
"Registering the boda bodas, know who they are. Somebody killed a boda boda rider in Mityana and just came to Kampala and went to the stage," he said.
He noted that the registration exercise will also help these riders to obtain driving permits at reduced fees.
"We sat down at the Ministry and we looked at the current fees and we really realised that for the boda boda to be charged the same rate with a car driving license is a bit unfair. So we have made proposals to make them half what we are now charging for the vehicles, “he said.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago recently sued KCCA seeking provisional orders to stop ongoing registration of boda boda riders.
Lukwago said the decision is illegal because it was not underpinned by any authority resolution.
