Ugandan government imposes strict guidelines for Boda Boda and taxis.

Ugandan government through the ministry of Kampala is imposing strict guidelines for all boda-boda as and taxis requiring them to operate under digital companies.

This requirement comes after the lift of the coronavirus lockdown in the region.

Regarding the guidelines, Lord Mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago said, all boda-boda motorcycles must operate under digital companies such as Safe Boda, Uber, etc in the first week after lifting the lockdown.

Mr. Lukwago also explained that boda-bodas will only be allowed to operate up to 7 pm for 21 days until they are all registered.

The Mayor criticized the technocrats for bringing up with laws without engaging city leaders and transport stakeholders.

He said, “This is not fair at all because we already have boda-boda and taxi ordinances in place but the government has instead overlooked them. How do you come up with such policies when you haven’t engaged leaders of taxis and boda-bodas! Should we be discussing such yet  Kampala is suffering from the impact of Covid-19?”

Concerning passenger service vehicles, Mr. Lukwago disclosed that the KCCA and the Ministry of Works will ban taxis in the city for three weeks so they can register with the ministry before they are cleared to operate again.

Ugandan government, however, stated that, after 42 days, the government will allow registered taxis to operate in the city under stringent measures.

KCCA’s head of Public and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Peter Kaujju also stated, “What I can confirm to you is that there was a meeting. We are mooting plans to improve the mobility of taxis and boda-bodas and streamline the entire transport in the city. These are just proposals and Cabinet will make a final decision. There shouldn’t be cause for alarm.”

Even though the city had over 200,000 boda-boda drivers, the industry is not regulated by the government.

Image/Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian  Science Monitor