Kampala, Uganda: Uganda’s transport sector has entered a new era as the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF) formally joined hands with the United Boda-Boda Riders Cooperative Union in a landmark partnership aimed at transforming the industry.
Speaking during the launch, UTOF Chairman Rashid Ssekindi described the move as a bold step toward unity and growth in the sector. “This partnership is more than a handshake, it is a bold step to take our sector to a new level, Tewakyali ntalo, Tusimbudde! And I am happy to announce that going forward, we shall operate under the umbrella of the Union,” he said.
The partnership comes at a time when the Union has already launched the Union Let’s Go ride-hailing app, rolled out Union Villages, and deployed more than 7,000 electric bikes, with a target of 30,000 in three months and 150,000 by July 2026.
The initiative positions boda-boda riders and taxi operators not just as transporters, but as community gatekeepers, public space guardians, and economic change-makers.
Union Business Products Advisor, Mr. Fred Ssenoga, said the partnership aligns with Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, a national economic plan to expand the economy tenfold from nearly US$50 billion in 2023 to US$500 billion by 2040.
“If we also incorporate our passengers—our brothers and sisters in local markets, we will have created a mini Ugandan Amazon. Numbers do not lie,” Ssenoga emphasized.
Mr Frank Mawejje, the Union Chairperson, outlined the direct benefits of the partnership, pointing to strength in numbers, opportunities for self-employment, transition into greener electric transport, improved road safety, and long-term savings through NSSF-backed initiatives.
“Unity is power. By rallying behind a shared vision, we can confidently present a united voice before government stakeholders and strategic partners,” Mawejje said.
The Union’s approach is anchored on principles of numbers, systems, and discipline, backed by products ranging from Union e-bikes, spare parts, scholastic materials, and home care products, to mobile phones, saloon cars, taxi vans, and e-buses.
As part of the growth agenda, the Union has also announced the Union Festival and Expo 2025, slated for September 14 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The event, expected to attract over 50,000 participants, will be graced by President Yoweri Museveni as Chief Guest, showcasing the Union’s products and celebrating the critical role of the boda-boda and taxi industry in Uganda’s economy.
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