Iganga, Uganda: Asset financing company Mogo Uganda has pledged to offer transparent and rider-friendly motorcycle financing, promising fair installment terms, improved customer engagement and enhanced road safety as it seeks to rebuild confidence among boda boda riders in Busoga.
The commitment was made on Friday during a stakeholder engagement at Fort Lugard Hotel in Iganga, where the company met boda boda leaders from across the Busoga Sub-region alongside police officers and local stakeholders to discuss challenges facing the motorcycle financing industry.
The meeting comes amid growing concerns among boda boda riders over the conduct of some asset financing companies, which have been accused of repossessing motorcycles without adequate notice, imposing hidden charges and towing motorcycles even when riders are close to completing their loan repayments.
Addressing the meeting, Mogo Sales Officer Mutoigo Cornelius said the company is adopting a customer-centred financing model that prioritizes transparency, financial literacy and dialogue with clients before motorcycles are handed over.
“We first educate someone on the terms and conditions of the company before lending out the motorcycles,” Mutoigo said.
He said Mogo is committed to ensuring that customers fully understand their repayment obligations, unlike what has been reported about some lenders in the sector.
“We are not like others who tow people’s motorcycles when they are about to finish paying the loan. We urge the riders to embrace us because we are here to support them,” he added.
According to Mutoigo, the company will also provide clear repayment schedules, send regular reminders before installments fall due and operate a dedicated complaints desk to resolve disputes before they escalate into repossession.
He said the objective is to build long-term relationships with customers while protecting riders from avoidable financial losses that can deprive them of their primary source of income.
Busoga East Regional Community Liaison Officer ASP Batamye Ibrahim acknowledged the important role boda boda riders play in Uganda’s economy but urged them to remain law-abiding and observe road safety regulations.
“There are many challenges in all sectors, but I urge you to avoid lawlessness. The police are ready to help you in case of any challenge. Be responsible on the road while doing your business,” ASP Batamye said.
He also encouraged Mogo to maintain close collaboration with boda boda associations, security agencies and community leaders in resolving disputes involving riders. “We ask Mogo to cooperate with the boda boda fraternity and avoid the kinds of cases that are always reported about other boda boda lending companies,” he said.
As part of its support programme, Mogo announced plans to roll out rider education and road safety campaigns across all districts in Busoga.
Following the training session, all boda boda leaders who attended received free safety helmets and reflective jackets aimed at reducing road crashes, which remain one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths among commercial motorcycle riders.
Participants were urged to consistently wear the protective gear and encourage fellow riders to embrace road safety practices.
Iganga Municipality Boda Boda Chairperson Budugo Ntale Lazaro welcomed the initiative, saying fair financing arrangements combined with continuous engagement would strengthen an industry that provides employment to thousands of young people across Busoga.
“We appreciate Mogo and the police for this engagement and support. We also ask law enforcement agencies to be firm while protecting boda boda riders. It is discouraging when suspects arrested over motorcycle theft are later released without accountability,” Budugo said.
He called for stronger cooperation between boda boda associations, financial institutions and security agencies to improve the operating environment for riders.
Mogo officials said similar stakeholder engagements will be held in other parts of the country as the company seeks to promote responsible borrowing, strengthen customer trust and improve road safety among Uganda’s growing boda boda community.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
