Bodaboda riders begin receiving motorbikes after Museveni’s UGX 10 billion support

16 November 2025, 12:01 pm

Br Ronald Ssemagonja

In efforts to support Bodaboda riders across Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni recently handed over Uganda Shillings 10 billion to the national leadership of the Bodaboda Union during a function at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. The funds were meant to be disbursed through recognized SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations), with each legalized SACCO receiving Uganda Shillings 100 million.

During the event, Bodaboda leaders informed the President that commercial money lenders were charging extremely high interest rates, which they described as unfair to riders who earn little yet have large responsibilities. It was on this basis that the President committed government support to ease their financial burden.

Building on that pledge, the leadership of Bodaboda riders in Kampala Central Division, headed by chairman Kanyike Kivir, yesterday organized a ceremony to officially launch the distribution of motorbikes to riders who wish to acquire them. The event was attended by the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda.

In her remarks, Minister Kabanda expressed happiness that the funds had been used properly and urged the riders to maintain that accountability. She thanked them for not attempting to give her money as appreciation, saying that such an act would amount to corruption. She advised them to instead use the funds for development and encouraged them to get driving permits, join comprehensive insurance, and remain disciplined.

Kabanda also appealed to the riders not to be misled by politicians seeking to cause unrest. She encouraged them to always go for medical checkups, have side businesses, take their children to school, and support the ruling NRM party. She asked them to vote for President Yoweri Museveni and for herself as Kampala Central Member of Parliament in the upcoming 2026 elections.

Chairman Kanyike explained how the riders will benefit from the initiative. He thanked President Museveni for fulfilling his promise of injecting 10 billion shillings into the Bodaboda SACCOs. He said that riders who want cash will receive cash, while those who prefer motorbikes will also get them. He added that riders who take motorbikes on loan will pay an additional fee of 300,000 shillings, which represents 6 percent.

Kanyike revealed that Kampala District has 102 SACCOs, with Kampala Central Division hosting 28, the highest number. He emphasized that riders who want to join the money economy must belong to a Bodaboda SACCO. He listed some of the SACCOs that received funds, including Industrial Area SSACCO, Kagugube SSACCO, Nakasero 2 and 3 SACCOs, Kisenyi II SACCO, and Women SSACCO, among others. He added that although the total number of Bodabodas is 1,000, not all were present at the launch.

Many of the riders who attended the event expressed gratitude to President Museveni for financially empowering them even though the support is a loan. They also assured Minister Kabanda of their commitment to support the ruling government.