The Town Clerk for Goma Division Charles Lubulwa in Mukono Municipality suspended the election of bodaboda leaders to create space for undertaking Kampala Capital City Authority new guidelines.
Last month, the State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye issued guidelines to be followed by bodaboda operators in the metropolitan area.
These included registration through a system that will be put in place by the Resident City, District Commissioners and municipal leaders. Identification of riders by only gazetted stages, issuance of driving permits to riders undergone training on road use and medical tests.
Lubulwa notes that the elections for Goma leaders is cancelled until they adopt the new guidelines issued by the minister and later embark on conducting election of Goma bodaboda leaders starting from the stage level.
He appeals to bodaboda riders to remain calm as the division leaders implement the guidelines before May. He says the move is aimed at streamlining the industry so as to reduce congestion.
However, the move has been condemned by bodaboda riders in the Goma division saying it is intended to create unnecessary charges against them. Sulaiman Musiige, a bodaboda rider, says the move is intended to sell permits.
According to Kyofatogabye, the Ministry of Works offered a reduction for riders intending to process permits. A one-year permit was reduced from Shillings 135, 000 to 105, 000 and three years from Shillings 230, 000 to 135, 000. He emphasizes that no rider will be allowed on the road without a driving permit by July 1, 2022.
Hussein Ddumba Kato, who ended his term in December as the Goma division bodaboda chairperson notes that unless the matter is just politicized by leaders, the government still has a lot to do before passing policies that can work in Kampala and Mukono concurrently.
Goma Division Chairperson, Humphrey Kyasa notes that they have embarked at talking to bodaboda riders to stay calm for the period of two months requested by the town clerk to ensure implementation of the KCCA guidelines but once he fails to do so on time, they shall part ways and push for elections.
Meanwhile, elections for the Central division which together with Goma make Mukono Municipality were conducted last month.
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