Once known for weaving recklessly through Kampala’s chaotic traffic, boda boda riders are beginning to change their habits — thanks to Uganda’s new Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
The system, equipped with cameras and smart tools that track vehicle movement and driver behaviour, is reshaping how riders navigate the city’s busy roads.
For seven years, Dathive Mukeshimana has maneuvered through Kampala’s crowded streets as a boda boda rider — a job she turned to after her previous business collapsed.
Today, she says technology is quietly but firmly transforming how riders like her operate.
“I started with SafeBoda, and now I’m part of the Twezimbe Women Association,” Mukeshimana says.
“As a woman rider, I’ve seen how the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System is helping us deal with road accidents, traffic jams, and even theft.”
The Electronic Penalty System, a key component of the ITMS, uses digital cameras and automated monitoring tools to observe traffic flow and record traffic violations in real time.
This has made many riders more cautious and observant of road rules.
According to Mukeshimana, the visible presence of cameras at major junctions has changed how boda riders behave at traffic lights and intersections.
“In jams where there are cameras, riders are more careful because they know that dangerous driving is recorded,” she explains.
“Now we are more mindful when overtaking or crossing.”
For Mukeshimana, the technology offers more than just deterrence — it provides a sense of safety, especially as a woman working in a field long dominated by men.
“I feel safer on the road,” she says. “As women, we want to ride safely. The system helps protect us from careless drivers.”
According to Uganda Police Force sources, the ITMS helped law enforcement track, recover, and return 32 stolen cars and 13 motorcycles to their rightful owners in 2025.
Mukeshimana owns two motorcycles — one she rides herself and another managed by an employee. She says the ITMS tracking feature gives her confidence that even in the event of theft, her property can be located.
“If my boda boda is stolen, I just call the police,” she says.
“With such a smart tool, it’s easier to track the bike or vehicle location.”
She urges other road users to take advantage of the system, especially in cases of theft or accidents.
“If someone knocks you or steals your ride, report immediately. They can track the vehicle or boda boda from wherever you are,” she advises.
Still, Mukeshimana believes the system’s full potential can only be realized through closer collaboration between traffic police and ITMS operators.
“Traffic police should work together with the smart tool providers to make our roads safer,” she says.
“We need to think about pedestrians, passengers, and everyone who uses the road.”
For riders like her, smart transport solutions are not just about gadgets and screens — they represent a shift toward order, accountability, and safety on Uganda’s increasingly busy roads.
