Lira court schedules mediation over boda boda registration fee

17 August 2026, 7:18 pm

By Baker Okello

The Lira Chief Magistrate’s Court has scheduled August 23, 2026, for mediation between Lira City boda boda riders and Lira City Council authorities over disputed revenue collection and the mandatory registration of motorcycle operators.

In a ruling delivered on July 14, Assistant Registrar of the Lira High Court, His Worship Sayuni David, granted the two parties a 60-day period to pursue mediation, with September 29, 2026, set as the deadline for determining the outcome of the process.

Speaking to our reporter, Owera Juma, Chairperson of the Lira City West Division Boda Boda Riders’ Association, confirmed that the riders had received a formal invitation to attend the mediation scheduled for August 23.

Owera said the riders are ready to present their case and respond to allegations of extortion linked to the dispute over the mandatory registration fee.

The dispute intensified in July when a section of boda boda riders protested the enforcement of a newly introduced Shs35,000 registration fee and the alleged forceful impounding of their motorcycles.

Some of the protesters were subsequently charged with inciting violence and malicious damage to property.

Through their lawyer, Counsel Emmanuel Egaru of Egaru & Co. Advocates, the riders have argued that Lira City Council lacks sufficient documentation to support the resolutions authorizing the levy of the registration fee and other charges on boda boda operators.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Lira City Council authorities were unsuccessful by press time. The Lira City Communications Officer, Robert Okello Ayo, said he was engaged in a meeting.

The mediation is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to resolve the dispute over registration fees and revenue collection, while the court will determine the next course of action based on the outcome of the process.