Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni on Sunday celebrated his 81st birthday at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala City, in an event that coincided with the first-ever Boda Union Festival and Expo.
The colorful celebration brought together government leaders, boda boda riders, taxi operators, and entertainment promoters in a show of unity and appreciation for Uganda’s transport sector.
Joined by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, the President expressed gratitude to the boda boda community for celebrating his milestone birthday with him.
He used the occasion to highlight his government’s ongoing efforts to protect riders from exploitative loan schemes and unscrupulous moneylenders.
“My agreement with the Boda Bodas is that it is criminal for someone to give you a rabbit and then demand a cow in return. Moneylenders give you Shs5 million and expect Shs15 million back. That is robbery,” Museveni said.
He noted that exorbitant interest rates have not only crippled the boda industry but have also undermined progress in agriculture and other critical sectors.
The President emphasized that this was the reason behind the introduction of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which provides affordable financing.
“If we give you Shs1 million, you pay back just Shs1,125,000 after two years. We have applied the same arrangement for the ghetto and now for the Boda Bodas,” he explained.
He further announced that several billions of shillings had been arranged to support boda boda borrowing funds, but stressed that only certified Saccos would access the financing.
To ensure accountability, the State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, has been tasked with certifying all Boda Boda Saccos.
In her remarks, Janet congratulated the President on his 81st birthday and urged Ugandans to embrace unity as the cornerstone of national transformation.
“Africa was blessed with abundant resources, but we have remained poor because we fight among ourselves. Now, by God’s grace, Uganda has been given the wisdom to form a union — to bring us together. When we unite, we will be unstoppable,” she said.
She further called on Ugandans to “serve what we produce” in order to build sustainable banks, wealth, and a prosperous future.
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, also congratulated the President and praised him for steering Uganda into a nation of opportunity.
“Boda Boda riders are unsung heroes; getting our children to school and making fast deliveries during times of emergencies. My call to them is to unite and support President Museveni, who has created the environment they thrive in,” she said.
She further hailed the boda boda industry as Uganda’s second-largest employer, commending the President for fostering inclusivity and creating a conducive environment for its growth.
Boda boda leaders used the event to appreciate the government’s support and share their ongoing challenges.
The Chairperson of the United Riders Cooperative Union, Frank Mawejje, revealed that patriotism training at Kaweweta had equipped riders with the knowledge to manage unions more professionally.
He noted that Saccos were now run by accountants and lawyers to ensure accountability but urged the government to stop moneylenders from confiscating riders’ National IDs, a practice already banned by a presidential directive.
Union Business Products Advisor, Fred Ssenoga, called for unity between the taxi and boda boda sectors to increase their lobbying power.
He announced plans to establish “Union Villages” to help members own homes, stressing that riders should not spend their entire lives without property to show for their hard work.
He also appealed to government to reconsider the Shs700,000 digital number plate registration fee, which he argued unfairly placed boda riders on the same level as luxury car owners.
Chairperson of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF), Sekindi Rashid, thanked the President for expanding the road network and harmonizing a once-fragmented taxi industry.
He requested that the President officially launch the new taxi park in Kampala.
Entertainment promoter Abbey Musinguzi, popularly known as Abtex, also appealed to the President to extend support to events promoters through Saccos, citing heavy exploitation by moneylenders.
The celebrations concluded with renewed calls for unity, discipline, and innovation within Uganda’s transport and entertainment industries.
Leaders and stakeholders pledged to build on the foundation laid by President Museveni, who reaffirmed his commitment to shielding Ugandans from exploitative practices and supporting their entrepreneurial efforts.
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