The government has urged female motorists in the Kampala Metropolitan Area to become the leading champions of road safety awareness, citing their disciplined track record as a potential secret weapon in reducing the country’s soaring traffic fatalities.
The call was made by Ms Adrine Kobusingye, the chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, during a meeting with the Kampala Twezimbe Women Boda Boda Riders Association. The engagement focused on equipping female riders with the skills and support needed to thrive in a heavily male-dominated sector while promoting professionalism, safety, and self-reliance.
‘As women, we must continue to lead by example, embrace discipline, support one another, and contribute positively to safer roads and stronger communities,’ Ms. Kobusingye said. She praised the resilience of the riders, many of whom are mothers, noting that their presence in the transport sector is a testament to the success of government affirmative action.
‘I am so thankful to our government and to our President. In the past, women were left behind, but now they can be part of everything. I have seen women plumbers and women who climb electricity poles. It is exciting,’ she added.
The power of the minority
According to statistics from the local boda boda industry, there are currently only 104 registered female riders in the metropolitan area, representing a tiny fraction compared to the estimated 90,000 male riders who dominate 83 percent of the business.
Despite their small numbers, Ms. Kobusingye noted that female riders hold a distinct competitive advantage over their male counterparts due to public trust.
‘If they package themselves, build a brand, become innovative, and connect directly to homes, they can grow their numbers rapidly. Personally, I would feel more comfortable calling a woman to deliver an item than a man,’ she explained.
Disciplined driving saves lives
This sentiment was backed by traffic police data. Speaking at the event, SP Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, revealed that women are among the most cautious road users in the country.
SP Kananura noted that traffic incident reports from last year showed male riders dying in much higher numbers due to risky behavior. Furthermore, women are rarely registered as traffic offenders.
‘If we have more women in the boda boda industry, traffic crashes are likely to reduce significantly,’ SP Kananura stated.
The push for discipline comes at a critical time. According to the 2025 Annual Police Crime and Safety Report, Uganda registered a grim spike in road carnage. At least 5,383 people died in traffic accidents in 2025, translating to roughly 15 deaths daily. This was an increase from the 5,144 fatalities recorded in 2024, which averaged 13 deaths a day.
Shifting mindsets
Ms. Dativah Mukeshimana, the Chairperson of the Kampala Twezimbe Women Boda Boda Riders Association, emphasized that the group aims to dismantle stereotypes while boosting the economy.
‘We want to cause a behavioral change and a shift in mindset in how people see the role of women in society. These female riders deserve to be seen as professional, safe, and responsible,’ Mukeshimana said.
To support this vision, representatives from the Ministry of Works and Transport sensitised the riders on the upcoming reintroduction of the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS). The system is being fine-tuned to enforce compliance, punish reckless driving, and lower crash rates.
During the engagement, the female riders underwent comprehensive training covering road safety regulations, customer care, mental health management, and defensive riding.