Lira City officials have decided to temporarily stop enforcing rules against unregistered motorcycle taxi (boda-boda) operators. This decision comes after widespread protests on Monday brought business to a standstill and disrupted traffic along the Lira-Soroti Road.
Mayor Sam Atul announced the suspension during an urgent meeting held shortly after security forces cleared the protesting riders from various sections of the road. The demonstrations, which lasted nearly two hours, were sparked by the arrest of a boda-boda rider who had not registered with the city council. The mandatory registration program requires operators to pay UGX35,000.
Mayor Atul explained that the enforcement pause is intended to create an opportunity for city authorities to engage in discussions with boda-boda riders. He emphasized, however, that the registration process itself will continue as planned.
City records indicate that 5,181 boda-boda riders have successfully registered so far, leaving 2,819 still unregistered out of the city’s target of 8,000 operators.
Atul stated that city leaders plan to meet with the riders to understand the underlying reasons for their protests. He reiterated that the registration initiative aims to bring order and proper identification to the city’s transport sector. He further detailed how the registration fee is used: UGX7,000 goes to boda-boda associations, UGX15,000 covers the cost of identification stickers and cards, and UGX13,000 is allocated to the city council.
The mayor highlighted that the registration effort is a collaborative one, involving boda-boda leaders, and its primary goal is to improve regulation and enhance security within the transport industry. Once the registration is complete, only riders who are registered and attached to recognized stages will be permitted to operate within Lira City. This program is part of broader efforts to better manage trade and improve safety through proper identification.