The Government of Uganda has set stringent terms for the resumption of the much convenient Boda-bodas. Motorbikes are expected to resume business tomorrow after being put on halt as a preventative measure to curb the vicious spread of the deadly COVID-19.
Some of the new terms of operation to be implemented include the registration of all cyclists at particular stages before ferrying passengers. The Government of Uganda has gone further ahead to create motorcycle free zones. These zones should be free of motorcycles at all times and should any be found they will be on the wrong side of the law. President Museveni last week directed that boda-bodas may resume operations but only under the guidance of city authorities and Ministry of Health.
Below is a statement issued by the Kampala Capital City Authority.
“Following the recent National Address on issues regarding COVID-19, by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, boda-bodas are to resume ferrying passengers and luggage on the 27th day of July,2020. Consequently, a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for all the riders nationwide have been issued by the Government through the Ministry of Water Transport and Ministry of Security.”
Specifically, for Kampala Capital City, all boda-bodas MUST adhere and comply with cabinet directives on the reforms to streamline and regulate the operations of Motorcycles within the city. They included the following;
All boda-bodas must operate at gazetted Boda-boda stages. The list of these stages and maps can be obtained from the KCCA website or Ward Administrators at every KCCA division. Each gazetted stage has a unique reference code and this will be its name.
All boda-boda operators must be registered at any of the gazetted stages and this shall be their address to enable contact tracing in case of any COVID-19 infection. Boda-boda operators shall share the register of all their members (after registering each one to the gazetted stages)
All boda-bodas who do not operate or belong to the App.
Companies/associations shall register with KCCA through their stage leadership. These forms can be downloaded from the KCCA website or picked physically from the Ward Administrators of every KCCA division.
No boda-boda operator shall pay any fees to anybody to register on any gazetted stage of choice. Anybody soliciting a bribe should be reported to the relevant authorities.
The Cabinet approved Boda-boda free zone where all cyclists are prohibited from entering/ having access.
The Boda-boda free zone will run along the following boundaries; Wampeewo roundabout- Jinja Road to Kitgum House junction- Access Road- Mukwano Road right down to clock tower. Kafumbe Mukasa road- Kisanyi Road- Mackay Road – Kyaggwe Road- Watoto Church- Bombo Road- Wandegeya- Hajji Musa Kasule Road- MUlago Roundabout- Kamwokya Junction- Sturrock Road- Prince Charles Drive- Lugoggo bypass- Jinja Road- Wampeewo Round about.
KCCA is procuring Boda-boda stage signs to mark the gazetted stages permanently and traffic signs to demarcate the boda-boda free zone as approved by the Cabinet. All boda-boda operators must duly comply with the said directives and strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) as issued by the Government.