Boda Bodas In Uganda

These are motorcycle taxis native to the East African countries often called the piki-pikis in Kenya and Uganda has the largest number. They are the quickest alternative mode of transport to beat the jam in the city of Kampala especially in the morning, lunchtime and in the evening. But to stay safe, avoid riding on them late in the night through dark and lonely places because thugs have infiltrated the boda boda business. Kampala Capital City Authority in 2015 submitted a report to BBC indicating that around 40,000 boda bodas were operating in central Kampala and some other knowledgeable source in the same year reported that the true figure is close to be doubling that number though many are unregistered.

More interestingly, the boda boda rides within Kampala just improved to a more executive way of reaching with the establishment of the safest riders like Safe bodas, Uber and Taxify bodas where passenger reach them online through their respective apps installed in smart phones for communications, the riders trace the location of the passenger through Google maps and you don’t have to struggle bargaining for the transport fare since the indicates all that depending on your distance. They are considered the safest boda bodas with good training, ride within the traffic rules and regulations, two helmets for the rider and the passenger.

Using boda bodas in Uganda come with advantages and disadvantages which directly affect the riders and the passengers and they include:

Advantages

1. Boda bodas have provided employment opportunities within Kampala and Uganda at large.
2. It is a source of income since it employs the young people hence strengthening them financially.

• Flexibility is another advantage since they reach any corner of the city compared to vehicles limited to specific locations.

1. Saves time in case of jam in the city, rain and other personal issues causing delay.
2. It is comfortable compared to matatus and buses which gather several passengers therefore causing discomfort.
3. Easily accessible since they are parked and always riding around looking for passengers.

Disadvantages

1. They are prone to accidents leading several deaths.
2. Causes air, water and noise pollution which are health hazards.
3. It has caused an increase on the rate of school drop outs since it is always the last option.
4. It has promoted insecurity and other criminal acts especially in Kampala city evidenced by several murders going on.
5. Several of them cause traffic jam within the city center.