Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is considering extending the boda boda registration exercise after experiencing an overwhelming turnup on the last day on Tuesday.
The registration exercise, which started on August 15, ended on Tuesday, August 30. The exercise is intended to conduct a census of all boda bodas in the city in a bid to streamline the sector.
But all the census centres across the five city divisions on Tuesday witnessed a huge turnup, with many cyclists calling for an extension.
Several of them were not aware of the registration requirements and were turned away.
Registration requirements include a duly filled application form, National Identity Card, letters from the LC, and the Parish Internal Security Officer.
The KCCA executive director, Ms Dorothy Kisaka, said they are assessing the situation before making the final communication.
“We shall also then guide on the way forward regarding those who never participated,” Ms Kisaka said in an interview.
Ephraim Mugabi, a rider in Kawempe Division, said his registration request was rejected due to lack of authentic documentation.
“I have not succeeded because the card for this motorcycle is still in the name of the person I bought it from. They have asked me to get an agreement from him indicating that I’m the rightful owner,” he said.
Ms Mariam Nalubega, an enumerator at Kawempe Mbogo Primary School, said the exercise was embraced at the last hour.
“Some thought they would be asked to pay some money yet the exercise was free. Fortunately, those who came first encouraged their colleagues,” Ms Nalubega said.
Mr Eddie Yiga, a boda boda rider in Kiwatule, who had turned up at Nakawa Community Hall, said he delayed to participate because he did not know about the exercise.
“I didn’t know where the exercise was being carried out from. It took me time to know that KCCA was counting us until I asked a friend who directed me here,’’ Mr Yiga said.
Mr Gideon Tumusimira, a rider in Ntinda, said he could not go for the census early because KCCA required many registration documents that need time to get.
Mr Muzafalu Kafeero, another cyclist, asked KCCA to give them more time.
“I don’t have an agreement with a person who sold his boda boda to me, and my card also got lost. I request KCCA to give us more time so that we can find our documents,” Mr Kafeero said.
After the registration, the Ministry of Works and Transport working with the Uganda Driving Licensing Agency on the other side trains the registered boda boda riders on proper road use and traffic rules and guidelines.
The riders trained and registered are then given reflector jackets basing on their respective divisions with registration numbers.
The exercise has however not been popular as several riders have declined to registers and get trained claiming that many exercises of a similar nature have in the past been carried out and they had to pay money, only for nothing to come out of the registration.
However, government has insisted that in a few months to come, it will be mandatory that for any rider to operate in the city, they must have registered and got trained.