Government has suspended the operationalisation of the recent directive on Boda boda operations in the City center which was announced by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Sunday.
Minister for Kampala, Hon Betty Amongi had said cabinet approved SOPs including a Boda Boda Free Zone where all Boda-Bodas are prohibited from entering/accessing within the city.
The Boda Boda Free Zone will run along the boundaries of Wampewo Roundabout- Jinja Road to Kitgum House junction – Access Road – Mukwano Road to Clock Tower –Kafumbe Mukasa Road –Kisenyi Road –Mackay Road- Kyaggwe Road- Watoto Church-Bombo Road – Wandegeya – Hajji Musa Kasule Road- Mulago roundabout- Kamwokya junction – Sturrock Road – Prince Charles Drive- Lugogo Bypass–Jinja Road- Wampewo Roundabout.
The ban was to be effective starting today 27th July, 2020. However, the directive on a bodaboda free zone was violated prompting police to impound their motorcycles.
This also prompted the leadership of different Boda boda associations to engage Police and the Works and Transport Ministry to stay the operationalisation of the Boda boda free zone. Consequently, police stopped their operations and returned impounded motorcycles to the riders.
According to Daniel Nuwabine, the Acting KCCA Spokesperson, they have suspended enforcement of the Boda boda Free zone until August 31st, 2020 to permit riders that had stages within the designated area to register at other stages outside the zone.
He says the zone has been established to decongest the city, reduce emissions and promote orderliness. Nuwabine says people will have to use taxis or walk when they get into the Boda Boda free zone.
According to the new guidelines, Boda Boda operators must be registered at any of the gazetted stages and this shall be their address to enable contact tracing in case of Covid19 infection. Boda Boda operators are free to register at any gazetted stage of their choice.
All Boda Boda App companies and associations shall share the register of all their members (after registering every member to a gazetted stage).
All Boda Bodas who do not operate or belong to the App. Companies/associations shall register with KCCA through their stage leadership. Forms can be downloaded from KCCA website or picked from Ward Administrators at every KCCA Division.
However, no Boda Boda operator shall pay any fees to anybody to register on any gazetted stage of choice. Anybody soliciting a bribe should be reported to the relevant authorities.
KCCA is procuring Boda Boda Stage Signs to mark the gazetted stages permanently and Traffic signs to demarcate the Boda Boda Free Zone as approved by Cabinet. All Boda Boda Operators must comply with all the directives and strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as issued by Government.
Currently, Boda bodas are allowed carry passengers to all areas of the city but abide by the Standard Operating Procedures-SOPs including wearing a mask, helmet, registering passengers, sanitizing passengers and the seat, keeping their cloths clean and meeting all traffic requirements and taxes.