Africa-Press – Uganda. Bodaboda Union, together with the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators and the Bus Drivers Advocacy Forum Uganda Limited, has launched a new fuel and engine oil product branded Union Oil, aimed at easing the financial and operational challenges faced by drivers.
The product was launched in Kampala, where taxi operators’ leader Rashid Sekindi said many drivers have struggled to properly maintain their vehicles due to limited financial resources.
“Many drivers have been failing to service their vehicles in time because they do not have enough money to buy quality oil. This has affected their work and income,” Sekindi said.
He explained that poor vehicle maintenance has led to frequent breakdowns, forcing some vehicles to remain off the road for extended periods.
“Drivers earn on a daily basis, and when income is low, servicing the vehicle becomes a challenge. This is why some vehicles stay parked for weeks without proper maintenance,” Sekindi added.
To address the problem, the transport operators introduced Union Oil, which will be supplied to drivers under a hire-purchase arrangement, allowing them to pay in instalments as they continue working.
“We have partnered with an investor who supplies this oil, and it has been fully tested and approved. Drivers will access it on an instalment basis so they can continue working without interruption,” Sekindi said.
He further revealed that Union Oil will be distributed at all taxi and bus parks within Kampala, a move he said will significantly improve operational efficiency.
“This initiative will make the work of taxi drivers much easier and help keep vehicles on the road,” Sekindi noted.
The chairperson of Bodaboda Union, Frank Mawejje, welcomed the initiative, saying it comes at a critical time, especially for bodaboda riders who consume large quantities of oil each month.
“Our riders use more than 20,000 litres of oil every month. Union Oil has come at the right time to support bodaboda operators,” Mawejje said.
He urged drivers and riders to support the new product and other initiatives introduced by their unions.
“I call upon all drivers to support Union Oil and any programme brought by the unions because they are designed to improve our livelihoods,” he added.
Union Oil includes diesel for vehicles as well as petrol commonly used by bodaboda riders, and will be distributed across major transport parks.
Several drivers welcomed the initiative, thanking the unions for what they described as a forward-looking intervention aimed at improving their working conditions.
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