The role of the boda-boda industry in the economic development of Uganda: A case study of Wandegeya Parish, Kampala

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the role of the boda-boda industry in the economic development of Uganda in Wandegeya Parish. The objectives of the study were to; determine the contribution of boda-boda industry in the creation of employment opportunities, examine the extent to which boda-boda industry has improved income of people and to investigate the challenges faced by boda-boda industry in Wandegeya Parish. A descriptive research design was used to enable the researcher gather relevant data for this academic undertaking. The target respondents included were all operators of the motorcycles on five busiest stages in Wandegeya Parish. Simple random sampling was applied in drawing the sample size of 100 respondents as identified from the groups they have formed along the various stages. The structured questionnaire and observation guide were used to collect the primary data. The validity and reliability of research instruments were achieved through analysis of responses from the piloting and expert judgment. The data was entered using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS software and results presented descriptively in tables of frequencies and chi square tests. The study revealed that the boda-boda industry had revolutionized unemployment and many people especially the youths were earning a living from this industry. The study also found out the key activities which had come up as result of commercial boda-boda ridership hence increasing the respondent‟s incomes for instance shop keeping, obtaining a second motorcycle, poultry keeping, among others. Various challenges were associated with the boda-boda industry which included police harassment, high theft cases, high insurance fees, as well as uncooperative customers. The study recommended that the government should train, retrain and emphasize on best practices on motorcycle operations and should establish well updated and accurate data base on commercial motorcycle activities for their sustainability. The findings of the study would help the government and other governments in planning, regulating and managing the boda-boda industry since it is spread all over the country in order to aim at achieving effective economic development from the industry.