
Kampala, Uganda – The United Boda Boda Cooperative Union has launched the National Boda Boda Stage Development Model to unlock the financial independence of the riders.
The Model is a professionalization initiative featuring programs designed to streamline the industry and promote economic empowerment through their SACCO. The SACCO will further facilitate the establishment of a bank dedicated to supporting riders.
The model is themed, Empowering Boda-Boda Riders for Growth and is supported by the government through the Ministry of Local Government.
The Boda Boda Industry which is the second largest employer in Uganda. Available data show that there are over an estimated 1.2 million Boda Boda riders in Uganda with about 150,000 registered stages. In Kampala alone, there are 350,000 Boda Boda riders and 1,021 registered stages.
However, the industry, a dominant player in Uganda’s urban mobility, is plagued by a lack of management, high rates of accidents, limited access to friendly leasing and financial services and reported high crime rates by Boda Boda riders.
According to the 2023 police report, out of 37,449 accidents reported, 37% (13,856) were boda-boda-related. Furthermore, over 15% of the 228,000 reported crimes were connected to boda-bodas, creating a significant financial burden on the government.

Therefore, through their respective boda boda stages, the model will now have riders access to financial services through a Sacco that shall be transformed into a bank and resources to improve their livelihoods while promoting road safety, environmental sustainability, and professionalism within the industry.
According to Mr Frank Mawejje, Chairman of the United Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union, there are misconceptions that efforts by governbment to gazette boda bodas are being made to eliminate industry, when in reality, the goal was to organize them.
“Today, we are now pleased to see these misunderstandings resolved with the launch of the model, marking a significant step toward streamlining boda boda operations in the country. This initiative will enhance financial empowerment, as it enables better traceability, allowing more operators to benefit from the model’s economic opportunities including establishing our bank,’’ he said.
The seven (7) programs of the model include:
- Health, Road Safety, and Environment: Impactful projects focused on promoting health and road safety for Boda Boda riders will be implemented. These projects will include regular health check-ups, access to affordable health insurance, and sensitization campaigns on critical health issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention, and mental health.
- Environment and Climate: The Union will offer incentives to encourage the adoption and use of electric Boda Bodas and advanced technology (Super Tech) within the industry.
- Union App:Unlike all other apps in the Boda Boda transportation industry, the Union App uses a unique payment model where Boda Boda riders simply pay a subscription fee of 5,000shs for every 7 days, granting them unrestricted access to the platform without commission deductions from their earnings. Also, the app doesn’t dictate a price, the rider has the liberty to negotiate with the passengers the price of the ride.
- Boda-Boda Stage SACCO:Under this SACCO, riders contribute a daily fee of just 1,000 UGX, creating a collective pool of funds that belongs entirely to the riders themselves. After a predetermined period set by the riders, they can withdraw their accumulated savings and reinvest it into their personal or business ventures, fostering growth and sustainability.
Under this initiative, 380 UGX from the daily 1,000 UGX SACCO contribution is allocated to local governments so as to enable boda boda riders to significantly contribute to the development of their country.
With the mission, “Boda Boda Kekukolelele”, its financing and leasing model is very friendly. Boda Boda Stages can acquire new motorcycles for as little as 70,000 UGX, which can then be leased out to trusted individuals within their community.
- Beyond being a Boda Boda Rider: The union has initiated a song writing competition for Union App winners to win over 250 million Uganda Shillings for Song Writing semi-finalists and finalists in five regions. For more information visit: Visit bodabodafestival.com.
- Boda-Boda Competition and Annual Festival:
The Boda Boda Competitions and Festival is an annual set of inter-woven events that are designed to give riders and leaders a special platform to congregate, celebrate and recognize their outstanding contributions to society, enable riders to showcase ‘hidden’ skills, knowledge and talents, give businesses, development partners and other stakeholders an opportunity to meaningfully engage and strengthen partnerships with the Boda Boda community.

During the launch, the Guest of Honor, Minister of Local Government Raphael Magyezi, pledged government support for the initiative, emphasizing that it would enable the government to collect taxes from the industry in an organized manner, reduce crime rates, and improve the livelihoods of boda boda riders.
He also pledged government support towards the establishment of the bank for boda boda riders.
Mr Amoako Sadick, a boda boda rider and the Chairman of Boda Boda, Arua City, said, “I am very glad about the launch of this union today, the first of its kind. I am confident that our challenges will be addressed because acquiring a boda boda for 4.5 million shillings has been a struggle, especially in Arua. We have faced difficulties with money lenders, as a boda boda worth 4.5 million ends up costing double due to high interest rates. Additionally, with this union, security in our area will be strengthened.”
Meanwhile, Ms Kobusingye Maureen, a boda boda rider from Fort Portal, said, “I want to encourage all my fellow women to join this work so they can support their families. Thanks to this job, my children are doing well, and my family is thriving.”