Boda boda motorcyclists in Lira are decrying the ban on carrying passengers’ sayings it is crippling their business.
On Friday, president Museveni banned all motorcycle riders from carrying passengers as a means of controlling the spread of COVID-19. Boda boda were restricted to operate up to 5pm without carrying a single passenger but only luggage.
As a result, most riders have opted to park their motorcycles while some have defied the ban and carried passengers, as some angry ones argue that the move is a smart way of destroying their businesses.
Oscar Odongo, a boda boda at Lira Main Street is worried that surviving in the city will be hard because most of the sick,whom government has allowed to be carries by boda boda, will be using their relatives to transport them to and from the health facility while others already have their specific riders.
John Ocen, another boda rider says that the pronouncement has forced most of them to park their motorcycles because even the luggage is not available for transportation.
Similarly, Bernard Opio also a boda boda motorcyclist at Odyek Ejang Market argues that most potential clients are finding it hard to trust boda boda riders with their luggage as they cannot be carried on the same motorcycle.
“I’m requesting the office of the president if it is possible at least to allow us carry human beings while following the SOPs and all the other directives otherwise we are going to die natural death.”
Molly Atoo a vegetable vendor believes that it is hard to trust any boda boda rider with her properties especially during this hard saying some can opt to disappear with all your goods.
Meanwhile Morris Obua a business man in Lira says the banning of boda boda from carrying passengers has also affected their business since both businessmen and customers have only little time to interact for fear curfew since all have to walk to and fro.
Another vendor identified as Adam Omony, shares the same view saying it is practically impossible to operate a business without transport of persons.
