Balimwezo unveils plan to streamline street hawking, boda boda operations

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In a bid to restore order and ease traffic congestion in Kampala, lord mayor-elect Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga has unveiled plans to streamline street hawking and boda boda operations in the city.

Balimwezo, who is also the former Nakawa East Member of Parliament on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, emphasised the need for planning and teamwork in implementing the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) maintenance of law and order ordinance of 2006 to restore the city’s former glory.

“It’s about planning, and you don’t need a superman to do this, and there are many smart young engineers and excellent marketing executives who can do the job, and where necessary, outsource,” he said.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday (January 29), Balimwezo pledged to streamline boda boda riding operations, street hawking, food vending, curb animal loitering, improve garbage collection and construct drainage channels.

“One of the key areas I plan to focus on is the boda boda industry, which has been a source of congestion and chaos in the city. I promise to designate specific stages for boda boda riders and enforce traffic rules, including the wearing of helmets,” Balimwezo added.

He noted that, despite infighting involving some government officials who own boda boda motorcycles, enforcement of street parking rules and stage demarcations must proceed.

“Much as the government had plans to reduce the number of boda boda riders in the city, we must find alternatives for these people because many of them got recruited in the industry due to a lack of jobs,” he observed.

The newly elected lord mayor of Kampala, Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga explaining his approach to city challenges during an interview conducted with journalists in Kampala on Thursday. (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

An estimated 500,000 boda boda riders operate in the city daily, with many coming from the metropolitan districts of Mukono, Wakiso and Mpigi.

David Byaruhanga, the boda boda chairperson at Angenoir Stage in Kampala, said ungazetted riders who pick passengers from anywhere have made it difficult to identify those responsible for insecurity, particularly bag snatching at night.

“This has increased repeated attacks on passengers during night hours. At first, we had the patron of boda boda riders, Ibrahim Kitatta, who was removed, but we asked the government to tender the management of boda boda cyclists in the country for easy management to a new person, but we are still waiting,” he said.

“The new lord mayor should be bold enough to make decisions for the greater good,” Byaruhanga added.

Street hawking is another area Balimwezo plans to address. He pledged to work with vendors to create designated markets and trading areas to reduce congestion on city streets.

As Balimwezo assumes office, he faces major challenges including poor drainage systems, dilapidated roads and overcrowding. However, he has vowed to run a corruption-free administration and prioritise the needs of Kampala residents.

“I shall also file an inventory of all KCCA property, including public schools whose land has been grabbed by the rich. Much of KCCA’s land has been sold cheaply before due to corruption, but I came up with a new approach to address land grabbing in the city,” he said.

Balimwezo replaces Erias Lukwago, who has been at the helm of Kampala’s leadership for 15 years.