President Museveni celebrated his 81st birthday on Sunday at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where he officiated at the inaugural Boda Union Festival and Expo.
The landmark event brought together thousands of boda boda riders and leaders from across the country, as the President used the occasion to affirm the government’s support for the boda boda industry — a critical component of Uganda’s transport and informal employment sectors.
In his address, President Museveni, accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni, thanked boda boda riders for celebrating with him and emphasized the government’s commitment to shielding them from exploitative financial practices.
“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. Moneylenders give you Shs5 million and expect Shs15 million back. That is robbery,” Museveni said.
He noted that high interest rates charged by moneylenders are not only harmful to boda boda riders but have become a widespread barrier to progress in sectors like agriculture. To address this, the president highlighted the Parish Development Model (PDM), which provides affordable financing for low-income earners.
“If we give you Shs1 million, you pay back just Shs1,125,000 after two years,” Museveni said, adding that similar low-interest arrangements are now available for both ghetto youth and boda boda riders.
The president also directed the State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, to begin certifying all boda boda SACCOs to ensure transparency, prevent mismanagement, and guarantee that funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
In her remarks, Janet Museveni congratulated the President and used the occasion to appeal for national unity and economic self-reliance.
“Africa was blessed with abundant resources, but we have remained poor because we fight among ourselves,” she said. “By God’s grace, Uganda has been given the wisdom to form a union — to bring us together. When we unite, we will be unstoppable.”
She urged Ugandans to support local industries and services, emphasizing the importance of consuming what the country produces as a pathway to building wealth and sustainability.
“God has used the President to lay a firm foundation for the Boda Bodas, the taxis, and families across Uganda. It is now upon us to build on that foundation,” she added.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among also extended birthday wishes to the President, praising him for creating an environment where the boda boda industry has grown and contributed significantly to Uganda’s urban economy.
Boda boda leaders commended the president for various support programs. Frank Mawejje, Chairperson of the United Riders Cooperative Union, cited recent patriotism training at Kaweweta as transformative, noting that unions are now run more professionally with the help of accountants and legal advisors.
Mawejje urged the government to enforce the president’s directive against the confiscation of National IDs by moneylenders, which he said continues despite clear orders banning the practice.
Fred Ssenoga, Business Products Advisor for the union, called for stronger collaboration between the taxi and boda boda sectors and unveiled plans to establish “Union Villages” — housing projects aimed at helping riders transition from daily earners to property owners.
Ssenoga also appealed for a review of the digital number plate registration fee, arguing that the flat rate is unjust for low-income riders compared to luxury car owners.
Meanwhile, Uganda Taxi Operators Federation Chairperson Sekindi Rashid requested the President to officially launch the newly renovated taxi park in Kampala and lauded the government’s efforts in expanding infrastructure and unifying the previously fragmented taxi industry.
Prominent events promoter Abbey Musinguzi, popularly known as Abtex, also petitioned the President to support promoters through SACCOs, citing difficulties accessing affordable financing.
The celebrations concluded with leaders from the transport and entertainment sectors pledging to uphold discipline, unity, and innovation. Many echoed the call to build on the “firm foundation” laid by the President and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to transform Uganda’s informal economy.
The Boda Union Festival — the first of its kind — was hailed as a major step toward recognizing and empowering one of the most dynamic sectors of Uganda’s urban workforce.
