By Rhyman Agaba, Journalist @New Vision

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) says poor regulation of the bodaboda industry is contributing to an increased population being disabled people in Uganda.

During her presentation, EOC Chairperson, Safia Nalule Juuko told a delegation of parliamentarians led by Charles Bakkabulindi (Workers MP), who chairs the committee on gender, labor, and social development, that, “there is a need to enforce existing regulations in the bodaboda industry to protect the vulnerable people.”

Nalule told the MPs that a study by the KCCA revealed that 90 per cent of Boda Boda operators had no driving permits or insurance coverage; 73 percent, comprising 30,660 operators, had no log books; 98 per cent (41,160 operators) had no PSV license, and 234 had no National IDs.

She expressed concern saying that ” This state of affairs is responsible for increased accidents, insecurity, and robbery which mostly affects the poor people.” 

In a dialogue that was convened at Kingdom Kampala on Thursday to discuss matters of national importance regarding equal opportunities in Uganda, EOC recommended that “There is a need to enforce existing regulations in the bodaboda industry to protect the vulnerable people.”

Other emerging issues discussed by the two entities include; health, national budget, and economic empowerment as well as transport and infrastructure among others.