
Uganda: Ministry of Health – Update on the COVID-19 Outbreak in Uganda (16.06.2020)








“Today, the Joint leadership of the security forces interacted with selected leaders of the BODA BODA industry and took the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of their challenges. Resulting from this understanding, the Joint Security Forces assured the BODA BODA leaders that their concerns will be forwarded to the National Task Force in order to come up with a road-map and modalities for the full normalization of the BODA BODA operations” (Uganda Police Force – ‘Joint Security Cautions Public on Lock-down Protests’ 07.06.2020).
We knew this would happen sooner or later. That the authorities in combination with the owners, leaders and the big-men behind the operations of boda-boda’s. Not like there only was one Boda Boda 2010 and not other associations, companies or collectives of boda-boda’s.
If you don’t know what Boda-Boda’s are, they are motorcycle-taxis. Where there is one driver and space for one more passenger usually. There can be more like a mother, a child and the driver. Depending on the type of boda and how big the person are. Most of the times its two persons sitting close to each other. That is why this is an in issue in a COVID-19 or a Coronavirus aspect. As there is no space between the passenger and the driver.
That is why the Presidential Directive in his latest address on the matter undermined the industry. An important part of communing in town, cities and in crowded roads. As the boda-boda’s are perfect ways of dipping through traffic on roads packed with jams. This is very common for working professionals with access can easily cross town with these.
In a gig-economy this sort of job is vital. They are getting paid for the amount of business they are getting through the day. The days staying at home and not riding is a loss. They are earning nothing not driving around. When they could earlier before the new directive drive cargo. They could at least do pickups and deliver it.
Now there is apparently a road-map to get them back on the road again. I’m sure the Task Force will have a few hurdles, a few potholes and road-blocks before they are back at it again. We can just hope this is it. They have waited for weeks. There is a need to both secure the driver and the passengers.
We understand that, but there should be some way to resolve it or ensure they still have business. Even if this might mean less passengers and more cargo. There should be something to keep this industry alive and the workers active. Peace.






