Uganda government has issued a directive for new licensed motor bicycles to have two number plates both in front and behind. Currently motor bicycles have one number plate behind. Majority of motor cycles are used for passenger business locally known as boda boda business could be the second largest employer of Ugandans, at least according to Standard Bank reports.
“All motor bikes are to have two number plates as a means of addressing crime. Those who are buying new motor bikes will get two number plates and who already have motor bikes have one year to get the second number plate.” Ministry of Work and Transport secretary licensing board Mr. Wionston Katushabe told journalists September 1, 2016.
Kampala Capital City Authority has been authority to demarcate zones for boda bodas according to division, Katushabe said.
The bikes are also the leading cause of accidents in Uganda with some riders use the means for committing crime in the country.
In Busia on Wednesday August 31, 2016, two people traveling a boda boda pour accede on four people now admitted in hospitals in Busia Kenya and Uganda.
The 2013 report authored by Standard Bank analyst Simon Freemantle and economist Jeremy Stevens measured motorcycle exports from India to seven African countries including Nigeria, Angola, Uganda Egypt, Kenya, Guinea and Djibouti.
The findings indicate Nigeria is the largest importer of motor cycles from India followed by Angola with Uganda coming in at third position.
The bulk of Africa’s motorcycles are imported from India, which has a market share of more than 65 per cent. India manufactures the Bajaj Boxer and TVS brands, some of the most popular motorcycles across Africa and Uganda in particular.
Uganda, according to the report, imported motorcycles worth Shs113.4b ($31) compared to Nigeria’s Shs746.4b ($204m) and Angola’s Shs204.9b ($59m) in 2013.
The report puts Uganda ahead of Kenya and Tanzania as the leading importer of motor cycles in the East African region.
The Boda Boda Business
About two decades ago, Ugandans woke up to a new form of transport business – the boda boda. The business laid its foundation in the continued growth of traffic with passengers searching for alternative means to the inconveniencing public transport.
More than 70 per cent of Ugandans use public transport as their main form of transport, according to Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
Data available from Kampala Capital City Authority indicates that Kampala alone has more than 120,000 motorcycles majority of which are engaged in commercial activities – boda bada.
Out of the 120,000 Kafeero says, 38,000 motorcyclists operate within Kampala Central.
However, the irony is that 85 per cent of these motorcycles are not owned by the riders themselves but make a dependable livelihood for both the urban and rural youth.
On a daily basis an operator who doesn’t own a boda boda pays Shs10,000 to the own remaining with equally the same amount of money. On average a motorcycle goes for around Shs3.5m.
Analyst data indicates India in 2013 exported almost three times more motorcycles to Africa than China; and half as many as Korea.
