By Josepha Jabo
Many of us were shocked by the tragic assassination of the late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi on the morning of Friday, March 17, 2017. His murder was the twelfth high profile boda boda assassination in the last 5 years (2012-2017). Besides Kaweesi, these include: SPSA Joan Kagezi, Major Muhammed Kiggundu, one haji and the rest were sheikhs. In the case of Kaweesi’s murder, the sight of boda bodas has become so common that it did not seem so unusual for a boda boda rider to be seen repairing his bike right outside Kaweesi’s home. Even if the assassins used a sports bike, it was still very easy for the killers to blend in with the regular boda boda operators.
Uganda’s boda boda industry is the biggest security risk, in Kampala, and it has a long history with crime. When boda bodas first began to spring up in the early 2000s their riders were associated with smuggling goods across the Busia border hence the origin of the nickname ‘boda boda.’
In the article ‘Uganda: The Boda Boda Economy Defining the Streets of Kampala published on 15 September 2015 it states, ‘Data available from Kampala Capital City Authority indicates that Kampala alone has more than 120,000 motorcycles majority of which are engaged in commercial activities – boda boda. The number, according to Atanansi Kafeero, the Kampala Boda boda Riders Association could be more considering that many cyclists are operating within the city without registration. Out of the 120,000 Kafeero says, 38,000 motorcyclists operate within Kampala Central.’ However, according to a 2015 NBS news report there are an estimated 300,000 boda bodas in Kampala city!
It is said every day someone joins the boda boda industry. A boda boda rider can set up a stage anytime, anywhere. Boda bodas ride near people’s cars, end up scratching the car paint, and speed off. Even today morning I saw a boda boda transport three school children to school on a single bike! They do not respect traffic rules or pedestrians’ rights. Walking in Kampala used to be a pleasant affair but is no longer the case as the boda bodas frequently ride on the pavements that are only meant to be for pedestrians. This makes it easy for them to be bag snatchers as well. They are used as getaways in robberies. Many people have died or ended up being amputated as a result of their recklessness. The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) 17th Annual 2014 Report states, ‘According to the ICCU, Mulago Hospital alone received 5-20 boda boda accident cases every day, which translated into 7,280 cases a year.’
In June, 2015, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) began erecting red and white ‘NO ENTRY FOR BODA BODA’ signposts around the city centre as no-go areas for boda boda motorcyclists. However, the boda bodas, who are used to acting with impunity, tore down 20 of the signs! At the time, KCCA intended to make Kampala’s Central Business District in a no-go area for boda bodas.
To remove the security risk they pose, boda bodas should be banned from Kampala and operate only on the city outskirts. For example, in Dar-es-Salaam, boda bodas are not allowed to operate in the city centre, they work in the city outskirts. Only owners of personal motorcycles are permitted to ride in Dar-es-Salaam.
The Writer works for Uganda Media Centre
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