Public perception towards boda- boda transport services in Mukwenda Zone Kikumi-Kikumi, Makerere.

Abstract

Boda- Boda transport service currently play a significant role in Kampala capital city and Uganda as a whole because most of the youth are getting employment in it. The emergence and growth of boda- boda transport service is due to the fact that they can provide fast, flexible and cheap transport to the public in comparison to other forms of transport. The purpose of this study is to provide insights into the key people (the operators) behind the emerging boda-boda service industry. More specifically, it aims to determine the education level of the operators, the capacity of the business to generate income for the operators, gender-related participation, and factors underlying the passengers‟ safety concerns and possible solutions to problems. This information is considered of value to regulatory bodies and any other stakeholders. Although boda-boda includes bicycle as well as motorcycle services, in this study the focus is restricted to motorcycle operators, since they provide the majority of the services in urban and peri-urban areas. Concomitant with the increasing number of boda-boda operators is the escalating passenger safety concern. A needs assessment survey instrument was administered to randomly selected motorcycle boda-boda operators from Kikumi-kikumi Mukwenda Zone Makerere. Besides safety, the questionnaire addressed issues related to what discourages users from using boda bodas,why usersfeel unsafe,boda boda ownership, acquisition and operational problems The results of the study support the notion that it is difficult for boda-boda operators to make substantial improvements in their incomes. The results also illustrate the importance of this emerging cottage industry to the local economy. However, more needs to be done to protect the public and to enhance the boda-boda operators‟ professionalism