Prudential Insurance, Red Cross To Train Boda Riders

A total of 8,000 commercial motorcycle riders, commonly known as "boda boda" riders nationwide, will receive training as part of the Safe Steps Road Safety campaign.

This initiative, jointly implemented by the Uganda Red Cross and Prudential Insurance, aims to equip these riders with essential road safety and first aid skills to reduce accidents associated with boda boda transportation.

Prudential Insurance is committing 500 million Uganda shillings to support this year's Safe Steps Road Safety campaign.

The second phase of the campaign was launched in Kampala on Tuesday, with the goal of doubling the number of riders trained compared to phase one. In the initial phase, 4,000 riders received training in first aid and road safety.

Tetteh Ayitevie, Prudential's Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the importance of their involvement in this campaign, citing the significant economic impact of accidents caused by boda boda riders on Ugandan society. He highlighted the integral role boda boda riders play in swiftly moving people .

“ I understand that the boda boda riders are fundamental to the economy in  Uganda in moving  people around quickly.  And I have seen everyone use boda boda, managers, director, they jump on the boda in their suites and they are gone”he stated.

He expressed concern that boda boda accidents not only affect the riders themselves but also have far-reaching consequences for the breadwinners, mothers, and fathers who depend on them for income.

He stressed that the accident rate and safety issues related to boda bodas are fundamentally economic matters, motivating Prudential's investment in the initiative.

Under the program, the Uganda Red Cross will provide training in various road safety skills and teach participants how to administer first aid in case of an accident.

The minister of  state for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama  who was represented by the Director for transport,   Benon Kajuna noted that boda boda  riders continue  to exhibit reckless behavior on the roads  by intentionally violating traffic rules.

They violate  traffic lights and drive on one way  lanes , a behavior the minister says  is extremely dangerous.He cautioned the riders to use the skills acquired to save their lives and those of other road users.

Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary-General of the Uganda Red Cross, revealed that the training will target riders in Kampala, Wakiso, Mityana, Masaka, Mbarara, and Mbale.

He noted that over 60% of the victims of traffic accidents evacuated by Red Cross ambulance services in the past six months were related to boda boda accidents, as indicated in a report for the July-September quarter.

Kwesiga emphasized the goal of making boda boda transport as safe as possible, with each training lasting three days.

The first two days will focus on road safety, while the third day will cover first aid techniques. Participants will be evaluated for their skills, and those who pass the tests will receive internationally recognized certificates.

According to the 2021 Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety report, there were 1,390 accidents involving motorcycle riders, and 528 passengers on motorcycles were also involved in these accidents.

This underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and training for boda boda riders.