The National Boda-Boda Union has unveiled its partnership with Honda to extend an affordable motorcycle financing programme aimed at empowering riders as formal micro-entrepreneurs.
The partnership launch was held on Wednesday in Kampala, bringing together Union leaders, Honda representatives, and partners under Markh Investment Ltd, the official Honda distributor in Uganda.
Speaking at the event, Maria Namusoke Kamoga, CEO of Markh Investment Ltd, said the partnership is about transforming livelihoods through access to quality assets that create economic value.
“We want to see impact, impact in income levels, because we are sure that once you own an asset of high quality, that asset will add value and improve your life,” she said.
Ms Namusoke noted that professionalising the boda-boda sector remains a key focus for Honda and Markh Investments, adding that riders play an important role in the country’s informal economy and deserve access to affordable, reliable, and fuel-efficient motorcycles.
On his part, Frank Mawejje, the National Chairman of the Boda-Boda Union, described the partnership as a major step in addressing the financial challenges that riders face in acquiring motorcycles.
“Today, we are starting with 200 motorcycles going into 20 SACCOs across the country; from Karamoja, Kisoro, Arua, Lira, and Greater Kampala. This is the beginning of a promise we made to our members earlier this year,” Mawejje said.
He explained that under the new financing model, a rider will only need to make an initial deposit of Shs250,000, followed by weekly payments of Shs70,000.
“Our motorcycle is priced at Shs7 million. We are abolishing the exploitative system where a rider buys a motorcycle worth Shs5 million but ends up paying back Shs10 or Shs12 million,” he added.
Mawejje also revealed that the Union has partnered with government institutions such as NSSF and Housing Finance Bank to introduce additional benefits for riders, including savings and affordable housing projects under the “Mpola Mpola Zimba” initiative.
He further noted that the Union recently received Shs 10.2 billion from the government to support boda boda SACCOs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, a move he said will soon be expanded to other regions.
“We are calling on more government institutions and private partners to work with us. We have built a strong system with over 50 offices across the country. The boda-boda sector is the second-largest employer in Uganda after agriculture, and in urban areas, it is the first,” Mawejje said.
The renewed partnership is expected to improve riders’ access to durable, fuel-efficient, and safer motorcycles, while also promoting financial inclusion and professionalism in the transport sector.