ZOMBO BODA BODA LEADERSHIP ISSUE WARNING TO POLITICIANS

Some Members of Zombo district Boda Boda executive council addressed journalists in recent press conference at Skylux gardens in Paidha town council, Zombo District. 

By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo

The leadership of the Zombo District Boda Boda Association, representing over 4,000 registered members across more than 50 stages, has issued a stern warning against politicians, accusing them of infiltrating the association’s executive to advance partisan agendas.

This interference, they claim, is sowing discord and undermining the group’s unity.

Fred Onenarach, chairperson of the Zombo District Boda Boda Association, confirmed that politicians are exploiting members, particularly executives, as political agents for grassroots mobilization and vote-buying schemes.

“Many politicians are using our executives for their selfish political gains, dividing us with their agendas,” Onenarach stated, highlighting the growing patron-client relationships that threaten the association’s cohesion.

The leadership emphasized their openness to political engagement but insisted on formal channels to prevent exploitation.

“We have not barred politicians from approaching us, but they must use appropriate channels. Politics and elections will pass, but we will remain here,” Onenarach told this publication.

He further criticized attempts to commodify the association’s support, adding, “They can’t come, divide us with their little money, and leave for good.”

Boda Boda riders play a pivotal role in Uganda’s political mobilization landscape, serving as a critical electoral constituency due to their numerical strength and grassroots influence. Politicians frequently leverage riders for campaign processions, voter outreach, and logistical support, often providing financial patronage such as fuel subsidies to secure their loyalty.

In Zombo, the association’s organizational structure and mobilization capacity have made it a prime target for politicians seeking to consolidate political capital.

Recent months have seen politicians intensify efforts to curry favor with the association through distributive politics, including donations of iron sheets to construct shades at nearly 60 stages and contributions to the association’s SACCOs.

These actions, however, are perceived by some members as strategic vote-buying rather than genuine support for the riders’ welfare.

A Call for Political Empowerment

Innocent Godfred Onega, LCIII chairperson of Paidha Town Council and an independent aspirant for the Okoro County MP seat, addressed boda boda executives at a meeting in Paidha’s Mayors Garden.

Describing himself as a “founding member” of the Paidha boda boda association, Onega urged riders to prioritize transformative leadership over short-term handouts.

“You need to elect leaders who can table and voice your concerns and advocate for policies that favor your work, not just offer handouts,” he said, emphasizing the need for policy advocacy to address systemic challenges facing the sector.

Elizabeth Nega, a contender for Zombo’s Woman MP Seat, praised the association’s organizational strength, describing it as a “formidable grassroots force” that requires resource support and favorable legislative frameworks.

She pledged to amplify their concerns in parliament, leveraging her platform to push for inclusive policies that improve working conditions for riders.

Police Caution against Political Exploitation

Zombo’s District Police Commander, SP Denis Kamugisha, cautioned boda boda riders against being used by politicians during this tense electoral cycle.

Speaking at the same meeting, he urged riders to resist manipulation and maintain neutrality to avoid being drawn into partisan conflicts.

The Zombo Boda Boda Association’s resistance to political capture underscores the growing tension between grassroots organizations and political elites, highlighting the riders’ critical role as both a mobilizing force and a contested constituency in Uganda’s evolving political landscape.