By KT Reporter
A new campaign has been launched in a bid to promote Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and road safety among the Boda Boda industry.
The campaign dubbed “Kwatamu Awo – You Only Live Once” is a partnership between the United Boda Boda Riders Cooperative Union (UBBRCU) and Reach A Hand, Uganda.
”Kwatamu Awo” is a common slang phrase amongst riders used to mean “slow down” or “hold on”, and it is expected to make the theme of the campaign more resonating with them to curb road safety violations and take care of sexual reproductive health rights.
The campaign was launched on Wednesday at Reach A Hand offices, Lungujja.
The partnership entails mobile outreach providing HIV testing, counselling, blood pressure checks, and health education; traffic rule and protective gear sensitisation; distribution of condoms and safe sex advocacy around boda boda stages across the country.
The launch was attended by a consortium of industry players, including chairpersons of boda boda stages around Kampala, boda boda riders, representatives from the Traffic Police, the Ministry of Health, and other development partners.
The boda boda industry is the backbone of urban and rural transportation in Uganda.
However, due to the nature of their job, they are prone to significant challenges related to health, safety, and well-being, including high vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, limited access to reproductive health services, poor mental health awareness, and frequent exposure to road accidents.
The campaign is part of UBBRCU’s commitment to transfer the industry under a Social-Economic Transformative Development Model launched earlier this year.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report (2023), more than 4,500 boda boda-related accidents were recorded, accounting for the highest number of road crash fatalities.
Beyond the roads, riders face limited access to SRHR services, rising rates of HIV among young men, and widespread mental health challenges, often worsened by job stress and stigma.
Many lack health insurance, access to accurate information, and safe spaces to seek help.
Speaking at the launch, Eric Ofwono, Ministry of Health Representative for the Commissioner of Emergency Medical Services, acknowledged that the boda boda industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors and an important one in the daily city mobility activities.
Their resilience and agility are also assets when it comes to responding to an emergency.However, he expressed concern that the industry remains highly prone to road injuries, making road safety a pressing issue.
“Boda boda riders are often the first to arrive at accident scenes. Unfortunately, due to a lack of proper training, they are unable to provide basic first aid, and this sometimes leads to the loss of lives,” he said, adding, “With appropriate training, they will be able to manage such situations more effectively.
Therefore, the plan to sensitise and train them is both timely and necessary”.
Ofwono informed that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Red Cross, was working to strengthen emergency medical services.
“There is already a policy in place, and one of its key focus areas is building the capacity of communities to provide first aid.
“He hopes that the partnership and campaign will provide a platform to train boda boda riders, equipping them with essential lifesaving skills.
Apart from road accidents, the riders also face reproductive health risks, particularly HIV, hence the high HIV prevalence rates among them.
“The high prevalence of HIV among riders is largely attributed to their lifestyle, shaped by the hustle of daily earnings and working under stressful conditions, which also contributes to mental health issues,” he explained .
The campaign is also supported by the Uganda Police Force, which called for concerted efforts to tackle road carnage.
Michael Kananura, the Community Liaison Officer in the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, emphasised that road safety was a collective responsibility, noting the importance of sensitisation, especially as new riders join the industry every day.
According to him, however, passengers also contribute to risky behaviour, sometimes encouraging riders to run traffic lights due to time pressure.
Other risky behaviours prevalent amongst riders are drug and alcohol use, and challenges from personal or family issues.
Mawejje Frank, National Chairman of the Boda Boda Union, explained the meaning behind the campaign slogan, “Kwatamu Awo”, a powerful peer reminder to slow down and stay safe.
Through the Kwatamu Awo campaign, we aim to ensure that all riders access HIV services and receive continuous training in first aid. We are also committed to reducing the road carnage often associated with boda bodas,” he said.
The CEO of Reach A Hand, Humphrey Nabima,nya expressed commitment to ensuring that the objectives of this partnership and campaign are fully achieved-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
