Bodaboda riding school opens in Gulu
Traffic Officer in charge of Gulu Central Police Station Bruno Naiwaga said the school has come at a critical time when many bodaboda riders are involved in road crashes due to a lack of road safety knowledge.
Watu Uganda country manager Damien Gueroult revealed that the primary beneficiaries are the company’s clients who receive motorcycle loans. (Credit: Jackson Kitara)
GULU - A boda-boda riding school has been opened in Gulu City to train riders in safe riding and road safety measures.
The school aims to equip boda-boda riders with the skills necessary to navigate the country’s busy roads, with the training covering modules including motorcycle operation, traffic regulations, defensive riding, and other safety practices.
The school, called Watu Shule, is being run by Watu Uganda as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
Watu Uganda country manager Damien Gueroult revealed that the primary beneficiaries are the company’s clients who receive motorcycle loans.
According to him, cases of road crashes involving their clients are expected to reduce since they will undergo training before receiving the motorcycle loans.
Traffic Officer in charge of Gulu Central Police Station Bruno Naiwaga said the school has come at a critical time when many bodaboda riders are involved in road crashes due to a lack of road safety knowledge.
However, he urged Watu Uganda to open the school to other riders who wish to acquire professional riding skills.
He also noted that tricycle riders should also be trained, as many of them ride recklessly, putting the lives of their passengers and other road users at risk.
According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report, there was a 7% increase in the number of people who died from 4,806 in 2023 to 5,144 in 2024.
The fatalities in motorcyclists increased by 13.2% from 1,520 in 2023 to 1,720 in 2024. Passengers on motorcycle who died in road traffic crashes increased by 10% from 614 in 2023 to 676 in 2024.
Passengers in Light Omnibuses who died in crashes increased by 55% from 93 in 2023 to 144 in 2024. Also the passengers in other categories of vehicles that died in crashes increased by 35% from 324 in 2023 to 438 in 2024.
Emmy Ocen, the chairperson of the Gulu West Bodaboda Association, hailed Watu Uganda for the initiative and urged fellow riders to enroll in the school to become professional and responsible riders.