Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has initiated the implementation of a decision to close several boda boda stages in specific areas of Kampala City Center due to security concerns, as revealed by Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs.
Furthermore, Kabanda disclosed that the displaced boda boda riders will be relocated to over 100 officially designated stages both within and outside of Kampala.
As of Monday, July 31, 2023, boda boda stages are strictly prohibited in certain areas of Kampala City Centre, including banks, embassies, Parliamentary Avenue, Apollo Kaggwa Road, Colville Street, Nile Avenue, the Ministry of Finance, and the Office of the President. This directive was issued by the security minister, Jim Muhwezi.
Muhwezi emphasized that boda boda riders found in the aforementioned restricted locations will be detained and prosecuted in court. He further warned that the presence of boda boda riders in Kampala City Centre poses a significant security risk.
In response to claims made by some boda boda riders alleging collaboration between KCCA and Abdullah Kittata’s Bodaboda 2010 Group, Kabanda refuted the allegations, asserting that this matter is purely a security concern, devoid of any political involvement. She stated, “Customers of the bank are followed by these boda boda riders as they depart. They should be restrained in such areas, in my opinion.”
Over the past few years, the proliferation of boda bodas has been a cause for concern among some city residents. They contend that the continuous disregard for traffic laws and the sense of unease stemming from the presence of boda bodas are contributing factors to their anxieties.
Moreover, it has been noted that certain criminal organizations frequently exploit boda bodas to carry out illicit activities.
According to KCCA, the current number of boda boda riders in Kampala City stands at 150,000.
