Naguru Hospital, part of the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital network, reported an average of five to 10 boda boda-related emergency cases daily in 2023, with riders, passengers, and pedestrians frequently injured in crashes. Hospital head Dr. Irene Nayiga highlighted that road accidents accounted for the largest share of the facility’s 14,000 trauma and emergency cases last financial year. She emphasized the need for improved safety measures, noting that while the hospital has upgraded its emergency department, prevention efforts remain critical. The hospital’s challenges coincide with the launch of the Community Integrated Development Initiatives (CIDI)’s three-year Boda Health and Safety Project, aimed at reducing motorcycle-related accidents in Kampala’s Nakawa Division.
The CIDI-led initiative, supported by Danish People’s Aid, health facilities, police, and boda boda associations, focuses on training riders in first aid, emergency response, and safety protocols. Project manager Rachel Nagadya stated the program will establish health committees within boda boda associations to sustain safety efforts beyond the project’s duration. Benaville Nagudi of Danish People’s Aid underscored the project’s dual goal of promoting helmet use and equipping riders to manage emergencies. The collaboration involves government agencies, local authorities, and stakeholders to address systemic risks, including unsafe riding practices and inadequate emergency response mechanisms.
Dr. Nayiga acknowledged the economic importance of boda boda riding, which provides livelihoods for many, but stressed the urgency of balancing employment with safety. The project’s initial phase targets 25 boda boda stages in Nakawa, aiming to lower injury rates and improve outcomes for accident victims. With Uganda’s urban transport sector expanding, the initiative reflects growing concerns over road safety and the need for coordinated interventions to protect both workers and the public.
The surge in boda boda emergencies underscores broader challenges in Kampala’s traffic management, where rapid informal sector growth outpaces regulatory frameworks. Hospital officials and project leaders argue that proactive measures, such as the CIDI program, are essential to mitigate risks without stifling economic activity. As the project rolls out, its success could set a precedent for scaling similar initiatives across Uganda’s transport hubs, addressing a pressing public health and safety issue.