Just In: End of ban, Boda Bodas to carry passengers

The Ministry of Works has finally allowed Bodabodas to start carrying passengers.

The State Minister of Transport, Joy Kabatsi announced on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday that the commercial cyclists are going to operate under strict Standard Operating Protocols.

Kabatsi said that all commercial cyclists will be required to possess class ‘A’ driving permit and meet several other obligations.

“Bodabodas will be required to observe Standard Operating Procedures including possessing a valid class ‘A’ driving permit,” said Kabatsi.

The cyclists will also be required to carry only a single passenger at a time and have hand washing or sanitizing provisions. Cyclists are also expected to have 3rd party insurance cover and maintain the motorcycles in good mechanical condition.

The time of operation for the bodabodas will be maintained between 7am in the morning to 5pm in the evening.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and Members of Parliament last week asked government to address the House on the fate of bodaboda cyclists who have not been operating for the last three months.

MPs including Cecilia Ogwal of Dokolo, Abdalla Latif Ssebagala of Kawempe North and others argued that the cyclists have families to feed and some are servicing loans.

The opening of the operation awaits President Yoweri Museveni’s address on Tuesday evening. The President is also expected to pronounce on business areas like arcades, recreational activities, places of worship and others which have been closed since the neighing of lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Source: Chimp