‘Boda-Boda’ A Silent Killer in Uganda
Motorbike taxis or Boda Bodas are quick, nimble and cheap. In Uganda, many hop on to get around the city. But a lack of driver training and government oversight is also to blame for the nearly seven thousand Boda Boda-related accidents a year. Accidents that place an enormous financial strain on victims and health care facilities.
Boda bodas for many in Uganda are a cheaper and quicker option of transport. But both riders and passengers pay little attention to safety regulations, putting them at more risk. Every day Mulaga, Uganda’s main referral hospital, receives at least 20 Boda accident cases. More than half its budget goes to treating these injuries and it has become overwhelming for the hospital.
Most of the drivers do not respect traffic rules, hence likely to cause accidents. City authorities are trying to regulate the Boda industry, but more riders are joining the trade
Three years ago Frank Musoke was in a collision while on a Boda Boda. He is still on crutches.