President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Sunday celebrated his 81st birthday in grand style at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Kampala, during an event that also marked the inaugural Boda Union Festival and Expo.
The President, accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Museveni, thanked boda boda riders for joining him in the celebration.
He used the occasion to reaffirm government’s commitment to protecting riders from exploitative money lenders.
“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. Money lenders give you Shs5 million and expect Shs15 million back. That is robbery,” he said, noting that the Parish Development Model (PDM) was designed to provide affordable financing.
Under the PDM, beneficiaries repay Shs1,125,000 after two years on a Shs1 million loan, a model the President said has now been extended to the boda boda sector.
He further directed State House Comptroller Jane Barekye to certify all boda boda SACCOs to safeguard accountability.
Maama Janet congratulated the President on his milestone and urged Ugandans to embrace unity as the foundation for transformation.
“Africa was blessed with abundant resources, but we have remained poor because we fight among ourselves. When we unite, we will be unstoppable,” she said, adding that Ugandans must also support local products to build wealth and secure their future.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among also congratulated the President, praising him for fostering stability and growth. She commended him for enabling the boda boda industry to thrive.
Boda boda leaders, led by Frank Mawejje, Chairperson of the United Riders Cooperative Union, hailed the government for training initiatives that have improved professionalism in their unions.
They, however, called for stronger action against money lenders who continue to confiscate riders’ National IDs in violation of a presidential directive.
Union advisor Fred Ssenoga urged greater collaboration between boda boda and taxi operators, citing their combined potential to influence transformative projects.
He also appealed for a review of the Shs700,000 digital number plate registration fee, saying it was unfair to treat riders the same as luxury car owners.
Sekindi Rashid, Chairperson of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF), thanked the President for expanding road networks and requested him to officially launch the new taxi park in Kampala.
Events promoter Abbey Musinguzi alias Abtex also asked the government to support events promoters through SACCOs, citing widespread exploitation by moneylenders.
The day’s celebrations ended with renewed pledges from transport and entertainment leaders to embrace unity, discipline, and innovation, while building on the foundation laid by the President.
