Uganda to Reduce Motorcycle Taxis in Capital City

National Federation of Boda-boda Organizations (NAFEBO) spokesperson Steven Ssemanda was quoted by New Vision on Wednesday as saying each stage would have 10 riders, who would have gone through a vetting process.

"We are compiling a list of riders, who will work at the designated areas. Only those with valid licenses will be eligible, " Ssemanda said.

"A campaign meant to improve the skills of the boda-boda riders was launched recently. The new skills will be very appropriate during the transition."

The new plan to decongest the city starts next week, which involves the police and the ministry of transport. Each stage will have a signpost when the process of demarcating them is completed.

"Chaos in the city is about to end. No one will be allowed to park in any other place," Ssemanda warned, adding that authorities in Kampalas five divisions would enforce the measure.

"The number of riders in the divisions will also reduce but the riders will be more compared to those in the city center," he added.

The move follows an August 14 letter in which the transport ministry called for the designation of boda-boda stages.

"Our traffic wardens are going to ensure that riders use helmets in addition to observing traffic regulations while law enforcement officers will ensure discipline at the stages," said Winston Katushabe, the transport licensing board acting secretary.

The Ugandan government has planned to ban boda-bodas by next year within Kampala, taking steps to streamline the boda-boda operations by way of regulation.

There are some 10,500 boda-bodas operating within Kampala alone.

The banning of boda-bodas may be inconvenient to many people who usually use them as the fast and economical means of transport in the city.

Source: China.org.cn via Xinhua News Agency