MPs renew debate on regulation of Boda Boda industry over murders

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Legislators have asked government to come up with regulations of the Boda boda business as a measure to curb the rampant murders of the riders.

Several Boda boda riders have been brutally murdered across the country, with assailants targeting their motorbikes and money.

On Tuesday, the Ngora County MP, David Abala, tabled a motion calling on government to regulate the business of buying and selling motorcycles and the related spare parts, develop a monitoring system where all people involved in the business of buying and selling Boda-bodas and spare parts must declare the source of their business stock on a regular basis.

He also proposed heavy penalties for crimes related to Boda-boda theft and murders involving boda-boda riders.

Pentagon Kamusiime, the Butemba County MP, said the Boda boda industry needs to be organized, saying frustrating it would kill the country’s economy.

He said Government needs to look at developing the industry including training and grouping the riders to a certain arrangement.

John Twesigye, the Bunyaruguru MP in Rubirizi district called for the installation of trackers and registration of all riders and motorbikes.

Geoffrey Macho, the Busia Municipality MP, says Government should benchmark on how Kenya has managed the Boda boda industry and deploy more at the border areas.

Betty Bamukwatsa, the Rukungiri Woman says Government should learn from Safe boda and taxify, which are considered safe and smart.

Hajjati Rehema Watongola, the Kamuli Municipality MP, said the sale of old motorcycle spare parts and second hand motorbikes is fueling the killing of boda boda riders.

Syda Bbumba, the Nakaseke North MP, said Boda Boda riders are unqualified and put passengers in a deadly position. She says many of them don’t know how to use the road,

Vincent Ssempijja, the Agriculture Minister, who represented the Prime Minister during the plenary session, said since the Boda boda industry touches on issues from several ministries like Security, Internal Affairs, Transport, Works and Kampala among others, Government should be given time up to next week to present a detailed statement.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga gave Government up to Thursday next week to present a statement on how to curb Boda boda murders.

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