The taxi operators under their umbrella body, the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF), and the boda boda riders under the United Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union have joined forces to transform the transportation sector in the country.
Frank Mawejje, the chairperson of the Boda Boda Union, mentioned that for a long time, boda boda riders have been at loggerheads with taxi drivers in the transport sector, regarding each other as competitors. He added that, for a long time, the country has viewed boda boda riders and taxi drivers as mere transporters, despite their significant numbers, which contribute to the growth of the economy.
Additionally, Mawejje said that through the Boda Boda Union, they have managed to transform the lives of many boda boda riders using their electric boda boda loan scheme, where 7,000 union e-bikes have been distributed nationwide.
“Using our system, we have managed to secure partnerships with big organizations and companies like MTN and NSSF, which have benefited the boda boda riders,” Mawejje remarked.
He, however, acknowledged the lack of discipline and manners among some boda boda riders, unlike taxi drivers. He added that with this partnership, they aim to leverage the systems of the taxi operators to enforce discipline among boda riders under the union.
Fred Ssenoga, the Union Business Product Advisor, said that the partnership aims to contribute to Uganda’s ten-fold growth strategy, expanding the country’s economy from nearly USD 50 billion in 2023 to USD 500 billion by 2040.
Ssenoga also revealed that the partnership aims at boosting industrialization, job creation, and increasing exports. According to Mawejje, the economic transformation of the country will be achieved through the large numbers of people in the transport ecosystem, the systems put in place, and discipline among the sector players.
Rashid Ssekindi, the chairperson of UTOF, expressed gratitude for the union of the taxi operators and the boda boda riders. Ssekindi believes that the partnership is a bold step in transforming the transport industry. He also mentioned that they are to plug into the systems set by the boda boda union in development to enhance the welfare of the taxi drivers as well.
Grace Ruyera, the administrative secretary of UTOF, said the formation of the union was timely, as it provides a good platform to share issues regarding the challenges they face in the sector.
He added that currently, the transport sector is unregulated, and the government only comes in to collect taxes, leaving the burden of solving internal matters to the operators themselves.
Ibrahim Kamya, a boda boda rider from Lubaga Division, said the partnership is aimed at reducing road crashes. He explained that the two parties have not been respecting each other while on the roads, and several boda boda riders have been knocked down and killed. The partnership is intended to foster brotherhood in the transport industry and improve road safety Kamya said.