Uganda’s Traffic Police Directorate plans to work with technology platforms to deliver road safety messages directly to boda boda riders and passengers.
The move aims to reduce motorcycle-related deaths and injuries on Ugandan roads.
Traffic Police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura announced the plan in Kampala on Friday. He was speaking at the closure of the six-month “Beera Ku Digital” skills training programme for boda boda riders.
SP Kananura said traditional public awareness channels have not produced enough behaviour change among riders. He cited the nature of boda boda work, which keeps many riders constantly on the move.
“Motorcyclists are very busy, and they may not listen to us on radio or television,” SP Kananura said. “We are going to engage the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and other partners to see how best we can integrate road safety messages into these digital platforms so that riders and passengers can access them directly.”
Motorcycles dominate road crash figures
The proposed digital campaign comes as motorcycles remain a major concern in Uganda’s road safety record.
According to SP Kananura, eight out of every 10 recorded road crashes in Uganda involve motorcycles.
He said police often find motorcycles carrying three to five passengers, despite the risks involved.
Authorities also link many motorcycle crash deaths to severe head injuries. Police say many riders avoid helmets or use cheap and substandard alternatives.
Annual Crime and Traffic Safety reports have consistently ranked motorcycle accidents among the leading causes of death on Ugandan roads.
Digital tools could improve rider security
Police also expect digital platforms to support efforts against motorcycle theft and passenger insecurity.
According to the traffic directorate, registration and digital tracking could create a record of riders and trips. This would help improve accountability in the boda boda sector.
The plan was discussed during the closing event for the Beera Ku Digital pilot project.
The programme was implemented by IMPACT Outsourcing in partnership with Simba Automotives. It was funded through UCC’s Universal Service Access Fund.
The project sought to close the digital skills gap among urban transport workers.
More than 3,300 riders trained
Organisers said the pilot exceeded its initial target after training 3,389 boda boda riders across the greater Kampala metropolitan area.
The first phase ran from December to February and covered Mukono and Wakiso districts. It trained at least 1,741 riders.
The second phase covered Kampala City divisions and enrolled 1,648 riders.
The training sessions combined digital literacy with access to key public and financial services.
The National Identification and Registration Authority helped riders register for National IDs. MTN Uganda and Pearl Bank also onboarded riders onto the Wendi mobile wallet to promote financial inclusion.
Organisers estimate that the programme reached another 20,000 people indirectly through peer learning at boda boda stages and associations.
UCC says urban transport workers need digital inclusion
Mr James Stephen Mpango, the Manager for Projects Monitoring and Evaluation at UCC, said the commission had noticed a gap among urban transport workers.
He said UCC usually focuses on rural communities, schools and farmers. However, boda boda riders also need support to participate in the digital economy.
Mr Mpango acknowledged riders’ concerns about the cost of smartphones and internet data. Still, he urged them to consider the long-term benefits of digital adoption.
“Complaints about the cost of devices and data are legitimate,” Mr Mpango acknowledged. “However, when you look at the trends over the last decade, the cost of digital services has reduced significantly compared to many other commodities. Embracing technology reduces the need for costly travel and paperwork.”
Mr Gideon Nkurunungi, the Chief Executive Officer of IMPACT Outsourcing, said the training covered more than transport applications.
“We trained riders on how to use digital tools to access opportunities, save money, invest, and safely apply for loans without falling into predatory traps,” Nkurunungi said.
Lack of IDs remains a challenge
Despite the success of the pilot, organisers said lack of legal identification remains a major barrier to formalising the boda boda sector.
Hundreds of riders still cannot access digital banking, mobile wallets and ride-hailing platforms because they do not have National IDs.
Officials said addressing this gap will be critical to professionalising the industry and improving rider access to digital services.
