Over 30,000 boda-boda registered in Kampala

By Juliet Waiswa    

More boda-boda riders are turning up on at the different divisions to have their boda-bodas registered in an exercise which kicked off in Kampala three weeks ago.

According to records from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) 35,006 had been registered by Thursday (24 October). KCCA spokesperson, Peter Kaujju, said that the riders continued to turn up for the exercise which is expected to last for 17 days.

The exercise began on October 10 after KCCA held several consultative meetings with stakeholders, boda-boda associations and police.

Kaujju said that for the past two weeks registration was carried out at the division head offices and City Hall grounds in the city centre. He added that other 18 locations which were identified by KCCA officials.

He said that KCCA has not yet established how many boda-boda cyclists will be allowed to operate in the city. However some boda-boda riders express fear that the time given by KCCA may not be enough to have all their bikes registered.

Some riders say that they may be thrown out of the city centre.

The riders had earlier last month( September) resisted the registration exercise and were given more time for sensitization to ensure that other stakeholders including boda-boda associations are involved in the exercise.

KCCA embarked on the exercise of registering boda-boda riders as a measure to decongest the city, streamline the boda-boda industry, collect revenue in the city, reduce on accident incidents and plan for them.

He emphasized that KCCA has no plans of extending the set October 31 deadline. “KCCA will not give more time for anybody who fails to meet the deadline,” Kaujju said.

Kaujju said that after registration, KCCA will gazette stages, give riders numbers, helmets and also inscribe their bikes with numbers.

Last month KCCA registered all personal, company and corporate bikes operating in Kampala. All riders are supposed to have two passport size photos, riders permit, a card which proves ownership and village Identification or voter’s card.