UCC trains 1,800 boda boda riders to drive Uganda’s digital economy

KAMPALA — The Uganda Communications Commission has trained 1,800 boda boda riders in an ambitious drive to transform the country’s informal transport sector into a digitally integrated workforce. Through its Beera Ku Digital initiative, the commission is executing a structural intervention designed to bridge the digital divide for one of Uganda’s most vital economic engines.

The program, implemented in partnership with Impact Outsourcing and Simba Automotives Ltd., is currently scaling across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. Training sessions have already been conducted in Kalagi, Kyampisi, Nakifuma, Mukono Central and Kajjansi. The commission plans to expand the campaign to several other high-density areas, including Ndejje, Katabi, Kireka, Nansana and Gayaza.

Ibrahim Bbosa, the UCC head of public and international relations, said this digital onboarding goes beyond basic smartphone usage. He explained that the curriculum integrates riders into the national financial and regulatory framework through five pillars: digital financial services, cybersecurity, navigation logistics, consumer rights and professional ethics.

“By training riders on GPS for route optimization and mobile money for cashless payments, the commission is addressing chronic industry inefficiencies like fuel wastage and the security risks of carrying cash,” Bbosa said.

The Beera Ku Digital initiative serves as a cornerstone of the broader National Development Plan. By formalizing the boda boda sector, the government gains a clearer view of money circulation and urban mobility patterns. For riders, the benefits include increased daily earnings through app-based hailing and a reduced risk of falling victim to the digital fraud that has followed the rise of mobile banking in the region.

James Beronda, the director of the Uganda Communications Universal Service and Access Fund, said a specialized mobile application provides riders with a platform for government communication and tools to increase their customer base by making their services searchable online. Beronda highlighted the initiative’s goal to empower riders with ICT skills for the safe and effective use of digital tools.

The boda boda industry remains one of Uganda’s largest informal sectors, employing thousands and serving millions daily. By introducing these skills, the project ensures riders are not left behind in the country’s push toward a fully connected society.

The program relies on a public-private partnership where Impact Outsourcing provides the pedagogical framework and Simba Automotives Ltd. offers technical expertise. Chris Kyerere, the executive director at Impact Outsourcing, noted that the initiative strengthens the country’s broader ecosystem as it moves toward a society where everyone can benefit from technological advancement.

During sessions in Mukono and Kajjansi, instructors emphasized that while the transport sector is the second largest in the country, it serves as the primary engine for agriculture, Uganda’s top-ranking industry.

Financial literacy sat at the heart of the training. Annet Amongin, a financial inclusion banker, cautioned riders against the pitfalls of the trade, advising them not to borrow for non-profit ventures or act as guarantors without understanding the underlying risks.

According to Bbosa, it is the beginning of a smarter, more connected community.