Musimba’s Business riding Boda Boda in Kampala

BY JIMMY ACELLAM ODOKI

In 2012, Saha Musimba, popularly known as Gaddafi, bought a brand new motorcycle at two million five hundred thousand shillings (2,500,000) to begin working as a boda-boda rider.
He acquired his motorcycle by saving a percentage of the twenty thousand shillings he earned daily while working at a car washing bay. This is not common among boda riders these days, as many tend to apply for loans to be able to acquire motorcycles to do business. Saha has never looked back since he started working as a boda rider, although many people, including analysts, argue that the boda boda business is a risky venture with little returns on investment. Moreover, the rate of accidents is very high and oftentimes there is interference by traffic and law enforcement officers from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), as well as incidents of the motorcycles being stolen, etc.
These have not discouraged Saha, who is supporting his family and dependents back home in Masaka from the proceeds of his boda business. Saha hails from Kalokelo village, Villa Maria in Masaka. He is 37 years old. Since he started working as a boda-boda rider in Kampala, his life has transformed tremendously. He is now a proud father and his eldest son Imran Musimba, is set to sit for his “O”Level examinations this year. His wife, Sumaiya Nakyanzi, takes care of their children, Iman and Imran, while Saha focuses on the bread and butter for the family.
In 2007, Saha came to Kampala for the first time in search of greener pastures. He had his formative education at Bulungi Bwa Basade Primary School and later joined Kabukunge Senior Secondary School in Masaka. With scarce financial resources after doing his O-level exams, Saha thought it was time to eke out a living. The capital city, Kampala, in his view, had better opportunities. He therefore, made a bold move and traveled from Masaka to Kampala to make a fresh start. Saha initially lived with his aunt at Kiteezi as he figured out ways of getting a job. He soon secured a job at a car washing bay at Kubiiri, near the National Referral Hospital, Mulago. At the car washing bay, Saha worked with ommitment, discipline and diligence. He was able to save enough money to buy a motorcycle to start his own business as a boda boda rider.
His optimism, hope and positive outlook towards life have helped him to thrive in the city as a boda-boda rider, supporting his family and even purchasing a plot of land on which he is constructing a house for the family. At the moment, he does not dream about trying out something else. He believes the future remains bright despite stiff competition in the business.
Over time, Saha learned that customer care is essential for attracting and retaining clients in the competitive boda boda transport sector. Riding carefully, providing a helmet, being very smart and occasionally conversing with clients are attributes that has made Saha more popular than his colleagues at the Mpererewe boda stage. Sometimes the clients send him to deliver items bought from markets, shops, or to pick their kids from various schools. He has already built a large and loyal client base. When he started out in 2012, Saha would make a daily profit of at least thirty thousand shillings (30,000).
Today, he earns an average of sixty thousand shillings (60,000) per day, though he laments about the declining value of the shilling. The purchasing power is not the same anymore. “I was able to do a lot and accomplish more things like buying a plot of land, providing support to family and relatives with the money I earned ten years ago in this business than today,” Saha explained. The depreciation of the Uganda shillings has also affected the price of acquiring motorcycles. Saha decries the high level of exploitation by business owners who sell motorcycles on loans at exorbitant interest rates. He believes the government should regulate businesses selling motorcycles on loan.

Today, a new motorcycle costs five million eight hundred fifty thousand shillings; however, when acquired on loan, the total payment can go up to ten million shillings. Isn’t that exploitation of desperate people who are looking for employment? “Our prayer is that the government reduces taxes on motorcycle sales and KCCA fees at the stages. More people are employed in this industry than in initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM). Tusaba gavumenti etuyambe,” Saha appeals. Looking ahead, Saha hopes to expand into retail and possibly wholesale businesses in the future. He does not see himself venturing into other transport sectors like special car hire (Uber), taxis, Tuk Tuks and others. He has observed and heard about the risks involved in running these businesses, including the high rate of accidents, cost of insurance, etc.