Every time I watch our riders navigate the streets where bustle meets dust, and hustle meets survival, I am reminded that the boda-boda story is more than transport. It is a story of evolution and resilience. From the humble beginnings of bicycles to today’s motorbikes, these wheels have carried not only passengers but also the dreams and ambitions of a youthful nation.
The Boda-boda Genesis: From Handkerchiefs to Engines
In the late 1960s in Busia, Ali Mayende ignited an unlikely revolution: he threaded a
white handkerchief through bicycle handlebars, offering rides to the border. Thus were born the rudimentary “boda bodas”, a term that would soon redefine East African transport. That bicycle culture, born of necessity, converted in the 1990s when used Japanese motorcycles flooded in, igniting a motorbike boom that swept across Uganda and beyond.
A Pillar of National Life
Today, boda bodas are far from just a ride, they are an economic engine. Providing countless youths with livelihoods, reducing urban congestion, and delivering essential last-mile connectivity. The latest URA figures have shown that motorcycle imports more than doubled those of cars (over 500,000 motorcycles compared to 283,000 motor vehicles) in 12 months by June 2024. This surge is a clear reflection of the critical role boda bodas play in driving mobility, creating jobs, and supporting livelihoods across the country. This growth is not just numbers but proof of the sector’s resilience and its importance to Uganda’s economy. However, it also calls for greater investment in sector regulation and restructure to ensure that this growth is sustainable and beneficial to both riders and the communities they serve.
Formalization: Unifying Riders, Securing Futures
At the UNION, our mission is simple yet transformative: to unify Uganda’s fragmented boda-boda sector and secure a sustainable future for over 1.2 million riders nationwide.
We are more than a transport network. We are a movement of professionals driving Uganda’s economic engine, contributing
to youth employment, financial inclusion, and national growth. Through our digital ride-hailing platform, welfare savings programs, and asset financing initiatives, we are opening doors for riders to grow
their income, access opportunities, and build dignity in their work.
But our greatest achievement so far is unity. Together, riders are no longer seen as informal actors, but as respected professionals, empowered to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s GDP, Vision 2040, and beyond.
In May 2025, something extraordinary happened in Gulu City. For the first time, 1215 boda-boda leaders
from 135 districts converged at Sacred Hearts Primary School for the National Boda- Boda Union Leadership Retreat, under the theme “Strengthening leadership and unlocking new possibilities through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose.”
General (Rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, declared the sector’s formalization to be a national development priority not just for transport but for the economic survival of Uganda’s youth. He urged unity, innovation, and financial discipline as the pillars of transformation. He was appointed Chief Advisor of the Union.
Championing the EV Revolution
With our bold vision of planting 2 million trees and rolling out 100,000 electric bikes, we are laying the foundation for Uganda’s shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.
In July 2025, we launched a groundbreaking partnership with Spiro, a company at the forefront of sustainable mobility, aiming to pivot the boda boda sector toward greener horizons. From their factory in Namanve, the first 2,000 electric bicycles were handed over to riders within 3 weeks.
Union Chairman Frank Mawejje captured the initiative’s spirit: “This will help riders save more money and invest in other ventures… no more ‘kamyu kagula ente.’” This metaphor vividly illustrates the previous burden of exploitative loan terms and how the e-bike agreement with its UGX 100,000 deposit (initially) and affordable weekly payments under UGX 70,000 for two years marked a transformative shift toward rider empowerment and financial freedom.
The successful deployment of the 2,000 e-bikes reinvigorated us to double the amount within the same time period. The journey has just begun. With the right partnerships and shared commitment, we can unlock even greater possibilities by expanding our EV footprint countrywide.
The Road Ahead
As General Manager of the Boda Union, I see daily how this sector fuels Uganda’s economy, creates jobs, and empowers families. What many view simply as a ride, I see as entrepreneurship, innovation, and community at work.
In celebrating Uganda’s boda- boda economy, let’s remember that boda-bodas are not just about getting from one point to another, they are about moving Uganda forward . What once was a fringe hustle has journeyed into the halls of policy, technology, and finance. And as we continue to unify riders, empower youth, professionalize the sector, and embrace innovation, I believe the best chapters of this story are still ahead.
Mr. Kasawuli Baker, Boda Union General Manager
