The Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) at the President’s office, Hellen Seku, has encouraged boda boda riders to take advantage of government wealth creation initiatives to enhance their living standards.
She urged boda boda riders in the Kampala Metropolitan area to establish SACCOS or groups to access various government programs, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Fund, and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP), among others.
“As proud citizens, let’s demonstrate our love for Uganda by embracing government initiatives that foster economic growth such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Program because they offer valuable opportunities to enhance our incomes and transform our communities,” Seku said.
She emphasized the importance of embracing such initiatives, investing their future, and playing a role in the country’s socio-economic transformation.
Launched in 2022, the government has allocated over one trillion shillings annually since the fiscal year 2022/2023.
The PDM initiative is designed to support the 39% of very poor Ugandans who are not in the money economy, into the money economy within five years.
Under the program, each beneficiary is entitled to borrow shs1million from the sh100 million parish revolving fund to invest in various enterprises, including coffee, dairy farming, and fish farming among others.
Within the financial inclusion framework of the program, 30% of the funds goes to women, 30% to youth, 20% for men who are not elderly, 10% for persons with disabilities, and 10% for the elderly.
Seku also urged them to cultivate a habit of saving in order to successfully integrate into the monetary economy.
“I want you to understand that saving is a foundation of wealth and the sooner you start, the stronger it grows. I can assure you that the funds exist but you can only access them when you are prepared and organised,” she noted.
President donates windscreens
Seku also presented a donation of windshields featuring the portrait of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to the boda boda riders.
This donation was provided by the President himself.
During the handover event on October 5, 2024, at Freedom Square in Kampala, the Commissioner encouraged the bod boda riders to show patriotism and prioritize safe driving practices to help prevent road accidents.
According to the Traffic and Roadsafety Directorate, the week spanning September 22-28, 2024, road accidents resulted in 70 fatalities and 349 injuries.
The casualties included 32 motorcyclists, 21 pedestrians, 7 motorcycle passengers, 4 vehicle passengers, 3 cyclists, 2 individuals classified as others, and one driver.
They attributed the accidents to unsafe overtaking which accounted for 34% of the total accidents, followed by speeding, responsible for 20%.
“I want to use this opportunity to encourage you to always drive carefully and continue upholding values and norms of patriotism,” Seku noted.
She used the event to also encourage boda boda riders in the Kampala Metropolitan area to rally behind President Museveni in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
The State Minister for Youth and Children, Balaam Barugahara, urged boda boda riders to maintain discipline while on the roads and to steer clear of any criminal activities.
“Be vigilant and report criminals who want to tarnish the name of the boda boda job in the city to Police and avoid breaking traffic rules and regulations,” Barugahara said.
He re- echoed the call to support President Museveni in the 2026 general elections.
Frank Mawejje, the chairman of boda boda riders in Kampala, expressed his gratitude to President Museveni for providing windshields to the riders and promised unwavering support in the upcoming 2026 elections.
