President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni marked his 81st birthday on a festive note at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, coinciding with the inaugural Boda Union Festival and Expo a landmark event for Uganda’s boda boda (motorcycle taxi) industry. Accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Museveni, the President expressed gratitude to boda riders for their solidarity and outlined government initiatives aimed at protecting them from exploitative moneylenders.
Addressing the crowd, Museveni condemned predatory lending practices, describing high-interest loans as “robbery” that hamper progress across sectors, including agriculture. He emphasized the government’s Parish Development Model (PDM), a low-interest financing scheme designed to offer affordable loans, citing its current extension to boda boda riders and informal sector groups.
To promote transparency and accountability, the President announced that State House Comptroller Jane Barekye will oversee certification of all boda boda Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), aiming to curb mismanagement of funds.
Maama Janet Museveni praised the President’s leadership and urged Ugandans to embrace unity as the cornerstone of national transformation. She highlighted the importance of self-reliance, encouraging citizens to support local industries and build wealth collectively. “God has used the President to lay a firm foundation for the boda bodas, taxis, and families across Uganda,” she said.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among also congratulated Museveni on his milestone birthday, applauding the conducive environment he has created for the growth of the boda boda industry.
Leaders from the boda boda and taxi sectors lauded government support and called for further reforms. Frank Mawejje, Chairperson of the United Riders Cooperative Union, praised recent patriotism training that equipped riders with skills for better union management. However, he appealed for enforcement against moneylenders who confiscate riders’ National IDs despite a presidential ban.
Fred Ssenoga, Business Products Advisor for the Union, advocated for unity between taxi and boda boda operators to leverage their collective influence for development projects, including the establishment of “Union Villages” to help riders own homes. He also called for reconsideration of the Shs 700,000 digital number plate fee, citing its disproportionate impact on riders compared to luxury car owners.
Sekindi Rashid, Chairperson of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF), thanked Museveni for expanding road infrastructure and unifying the fragmented taxi sector, requesting the official launch of the new Kampala taxi park.
Events promoter Abbey Musinguzi (Abtex) appealed for SACCO support for event promoters facing exploitation from moneylenders.
The celebrations concluded with renewed pledges for unity, discipline, and innovation in Uganda’s transport and entertainment sectors, as leaders committed to building on the foundation established by President Museveni.