Boda boda cyclists operating in Kampala have been warned to comply with traffic laws or face a looming crackdown aimed at restoring order on the city’s roads.
The Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Kampala, Geoffrey Sserwadda, said the operation will target riders who ignore basic safety and licensing requirements.
Speaking to Bbeg Media during an interview at his office in Nakasero, Sserwadda said the authorities are concerned about the rising number of motorcycle accidents in the city.
He said many victims of these accidents end up at Mulago National Referral Hospital, which has become a common destination for those injured in crashes involving commercial motorcycles.
“We are concerned about the effects of motorcycle accidents where many of our people are lying at Mulago hospital,” Sserwadda said.
He said his office will soon meet the Minister for Kampala, Minsa Kabanda, to discuss the planned crackdown.
Sserwadda said Kabanda, as the minister responsible for Kampala affairs, is expected to guide the implementation of the initiative.
The operation will require commercial cyclists to meet basic requirements before operating on city roads. These include having a valid driving permit, wearing a helmet, and putting on reflective jackets. [WATCH VIDEO]
However, Sserwadda said the authorities will first conduct sensitisation campaigns among riders before enforcement begins.
“We want to clean up the motorcycle industry so that there is sanity and order in the business,” he said.
Sserwadda also advised passengers to be cautious when using commercial motorcycles.
He urged commuters to ask riders to follow traffic rules and remain alert to avoid becoming victims of crimes such as robbery and theft.
Sserwadda said the authorities will enforce order in the city despite the limited number of personnel available to support operations by the Kampala Capital City Authority.
On the recent flooding in Kampala, Sserwadda acknowledged that the problem partly lies with the authority responsible for approving construction plans.
He said security leaders in the city are seeking an explanation from the KCCA executive director, Sharifah Buzeki.
According to Sserwadda, her response will help authorities explain the situation to residents.
He also sympathised with traders who lost merchandise during the recent floods and said his office will soon issue a statement outlining possible solutions.
Sserwadda asked traders to be patient as the authorities consult different stakeholders to address the problem.
He also raised concerns about the low turnout at meetings organised by the RCC’s office.
“Out of the 50 businessmen invited, only nine attended,” he said.
