Boda Boda Cyclists in Mbarara, Nakawa Form COVID-19 SOPs Compliance Teams
Written by admin on June 17, 2021
Mbarara City Boda Boda Association has formed a special committee to help in the implementation of Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines and Standard Operation Procedures- SOPs.
In his address to the nation on Covid-19, President Yoweri Museveni warned Boda Boda riders against the violation of the guidelines or risk total lockdown. He cautioned Boda Boda riders against carrying two or more passengers and failing to wear a face mask.
The President also announced an inter-district lockdown and warned the riders against transporting people across district borders. He also directed that the riders stop operations at 6:00 pm.
Sergious Oukunda Salongo Chairperson Mbarara City Boda Boda Association, says that because the number of Boda Boda riders in the city, they have constituted a fifteen-man committee which also includes a police officer to arrest and take to police any Boda Boda rider who is found violating the guidelines.
Ruganda says they are also faced with the challenge of porous routes being used by Boda Boda riders to move to other districts.
Brain Arinaitwe, a Boda Boda rider at Kateete Stage says they choose to tighten the guidelines by instituting fines for riders who do not adhere to the presidential directives.
Oukunda says they have impounded 10 motorcycles for either carrying two passengers or carrying a passenger without a mask.
In Nakawa Division, Kampala City, a vigilant team of Boda Boda cyclists has been formed to aid in the enforcement of COVID-19 standards of operation.
The team named HAM COVID-19 TEAM will be expected to carry out sensitization among fellow cyclists and also report colleagues who are not adhering to the SOPs.
Herbert Burora Anderson, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner Nakawa Division, says that they have noted that categories not complying with the Covid-19 prevention guidelines include motorcyclists, taxis and local brew (malwa) drinking points among others.
Paul Mugabe, the Mayor Nakawa Division says that since the cyclists interact with numerous people from different places each day, it is an effective way to ensure compliance.
