Bodaboda riders in Kamuli district have asked Parliament to enact a law to ensure their safety during their work.

Under their umbrella body Kamuli Bodaboda Association, the riders, on behalf of their counterparts nationwide, demanded that the Government allocate a budget to cater for the welfare of the bereaved families and those disabled during attacks on them.

In a petition presented to the First Deputy Premier and Minister of East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, the cyclists expressed concern that there was no way to ensure their protection and that suspects arraigned in the courts of law are released, citing lack of evidence.

They said it was unfortunate that security is linking them to terrorism, arguing that the attackers hire bodabodas to execute deadly missions. They said after the death of many bodaboda riders, orphans and their mothers are left languishing in misery and abject poverty. The orphans most of the time drop out of school. “Some people pose as passengers and kill us.

Painfully, due to lack of evidence, the court releases them unconditionally,” Godfrey Nansaawe, the chairperson of Kamuli Bodaboda Riders Association, said. “It becomes tricky reconstructing the scene of the crime. With the rider dead, it becomes hard to pin the killers and the court releases them. Such criminals continue to rob motorbikes,” Nansaawe said.

The cyclists raised their concerns on Saturday during the thanksgiving ceremony they organised for Kadaga to appreciate the developments she lobbied for Kamuli and Busoga region as area Woman MP. Kadaga received a hero’s welcome with big convoy before she was ushered into Kamuli Youth Centre.

The former Speaker of Parliament arrived amidst deafening drumming, chanting and dancing. She was gifted with five cows among other gifts from her supporters and Busoga MPs. “You brought many developments here, that is why we are happy to shower you with these gifts,” Nansaanwe said, before handing over a Bible to Kadaga.

She donated five motorcycles to the bodaboda association to support them. Cheers rocked the venue as the riders’ executive knelt before Kadaga to request her to contest again in 2026, saying they still expect a lot from her.

Legislator blasts Lumumba

Luuka South MP Stephen Kisa accused the general duties minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba, for witch-hunting Kadaga. “Lumumba must stop insulting Kadaga. She should know that Kadaga is a tested leader,” Kisa said, vowing to ensure that Kadaga remains prominent in Busoga, nationally and internationally.

 The attack follows Lumumba’s statement during her visit in Kamuli when she said that Kadaga’s removal from speakership was of high benefit for Busoga. This was during the thanksgiving ceremony for Kamuli Municipality MP Baroda Kayanga Watongola in Kamuli town last week.