Africa-Press – Uganda. Watu, a prominent African fintech company specializing in motorcycle financing, has launched its first driving school in Northern Uganda, focusing on enhancing road safety by grooming qualified and skilled riders through hands-on training.
With over 10,000 enrollments already recorded across the country, Watu aims to register an additional 10,000 riders in Northern Uganda.
The launch marks a major milestone for Watu Shule, the company’s rider training and licensing initiative.
The expansion represents a significant step in Watu’s commitment to improving road safety, rider compliance, and economic empowerment within Uganda’s boda boda ecosystem. Through Watu Shule, riders receive professional training, licensing support, and the confidence to operate safely and legally on public roads.
Motorcycle-related accidents remain one of the leading contributors to road traffic injuries and fatalities in Uganda.
According to recent traffic reports, motorcycles account for over half (53%) of all road traffic injuries and a significant share of fatal crashes, underscoring the severity of the problem.
In 2025 alone, Uganda recorded more than 25,000 road crashes, resulting in over 4,400 deaths and more than 25,800 casualties.
This reflects a broader national challenge, where road traffic accidents cost the country thousands of lives and livelihoods each year.
Watu Shule directly addresses this issue by equipping riders with essential road safety knowledge, defensive riding skills, and support to obtain valid riding permits.
Speaking at the launch, Benjamin Mukasa, Head of Mobility at Watu Uganda, highlighted the significance of the regional expansion:
“At Watu, our responsibility goes beyond financing motorcycles. We are invested in the safety of our riders, the protection of their livelihoods, and the long-term sustainability of the transport ecosystem. Watu Shule reflects our commitment to building safer roads for everyone, and reaching 10,000 enrollments is a strong signal that riders across Uganda want to ride safely, confidently, and legally.”
Damien Gueroult, Country Manager at Watu Uganda, noted that the initiative was informed by the country’s rising accident statistics.
“We have taken note of the accident statistics in the country. As a way of giving back, we decided to do something different by providing training to our riders. This training will now form part of the motorcycle loan package.”
By investing in rider education, Watu reinforces its role not only as a financier but also as a long-term partner in building safer roads and more responsible riding communities. The school is open to both Watu boda loan customers and non-Watu riders, ensuring broader access to training and licensing regardless of financing status.
Flexible payment options allow riders to spread the cost of training, removing barriers that have traditionally limited access to formal rider education. This community-first approach enables more riders to comply with regulations, protect their livelihoods, and operate with confidence.
From a business perspective, trained and licensed riders are better positioned to sustain their income, safeguard financed assets, and build trust with customers and regulators.
For Watu, this translates into stronger portfolio performance, responsible asset usage, and long-term customer retention. For the broader business community, safer and compliant riders contribute to more reliable last-mile transport, reduced accident-related disruptions, and improved urban mobility.
The launch of the school in Gulu underscores Watu’s commitment to extending impactful services beyond central regions, ensuring that riders in Northern Uganda have equal access to training, licensing, and safety resources.
