KCCA Finalises Plans to throw 145,000 boda boda cyclists out of Kampala
KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi
Jonathan Kyeyune, KCCA Manager Corporate and Public Affairs noted that the increasing numbers of boda boda operators were becoming a menace to the city, thus creating a security threat.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) says plans to finally ban boda boda operators from the Central Business District are at an advanced stage.
This is part of KCCA efforts to clean and organize the city. Previous attempts to ban the operators from the CBD have not worked, partly because the cyclists do not operate in an organized manner or have been reluctant to leave the city.
Speaking to Redpepper Online on the matter, KCCA’s Manager, Public and Corporate Affairs Jonathan Kyeyune said the reason behind the relocation of the boda boda operators from the city was to reduce on congestion and traffic jams that are common on Kampala roads.
Kyeyune noted that the increasing numbers of boda boda operators were becoming a menace to the city, thus creating a security threat. Although KCCA is not specific on the timeline of the ban, Kyeyune said there is urgent need to re-organize and create order on the city roads.
There are over 145,000 boda boda cyclists in Kampala District, but they are not regulated, Kyeyune says these operators are to blame for causing traffic mess and accidents.
But operators are wary that if the new measures take effect, they will be pushed out of business, since they depend of the industry for their daily income.
Some of the cyclists who spoke to Our Reporter were adamant that they are not ready to leave the city; they suggested that a special tax should be levied to reduce on the burden of operating in the city.
Kyeyune said that KCCA is acting on a 2010 mandate that required the council to enforce stringent measures to decongest the city traffic. As a result KCCA is set to create designated parks for boda boda cyclists to pick and drop clients.
If the plan works, the cyclists will not be allowed to access the carved off area whose boundaries begin t from Wandegeya traffic lights, through Hajji Kasule Road, Makerere Hill Road to Nakulabye Trading Centre among other areas.
KCCA has been pushing for this proposal since 2007; the thorny issue has on several occasions met objections, on claims that the industry was a source of income for the unemployed youth.
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Cleaning the the town has nothing to do with un employment, all we need it is a modern city where I know the boda stage and possibly his Operation No., they gat to have stages where they can pick and drop people am sure we will all walk there if we really need them as already stated.
Time to change bbana baffe
big thumb to KCCA
well personal cars are more than the bikes and are big thus congest more…… well musis might have never used a bodaboda and that is the problemthat is a lifeline for many i mean they depend on that orgarnise them not throw them
what are you talkin about. I have used boda before but still support that they be pushed out of the Kampala business district. I actually dread Kampala because of the traffic jam. Jeniffer has my support.
andywlls hmm its not about support but looking at things critically do away with cars or introduce some high tax on personal cars entering the CBD, neither fly overs,chasing boda bodas will be a solution well this is my opinion and doesnt matter
Boda bodas are as many as grasshoppers. I think its time to remove them CBD.
My dear, even if Bo da boda is source of income for some our people due to Ugandan roads are useless only causing accidents Kampala will never be clean if bodaboda are still in our city.