GULU, Uganda — Uganda’s sprawling motorcycle taxi, or boda-boda, industry is charting a course toward formalization and economic sustainability following a national leadership retreat.

The First National Boda-Boda Union Leadership Retreat, held Thursday at Sacred Hearts Primary School Grounds in Gulu City, brought together 1,215 leaders representing 135 districts. The event signaled a push for greater organization within the sector, which employs more than 1.2 million Ugandans, primarily youth often working informally without benefits.

Under the theme “Strengthening Leadership and Unlocking New Possibilities through Collaboration, Innovation, and Shared Purpose,” the retreat featured training sessions, dialogues, and strategic planning focused on formalizing the industry. Key areas of discussion included forming registered local unions and savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs), promoting a savings culture, and adopting digital financial platforms to improve access to insurance and credit for riders.

Gen. (Rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, told the leaders that formalizing the boda-boda sector is a national development priority that extends beyond transportation, ensuring the economic well-being of Uganda’s youth.

“A structured and empowered boda-boda industry can be a powerful contributor to our economy—through job creation, improved mobility, and the stimulation of grassroots enterprise,” Gen. Saleh said. He urged leaders to embrace financial discipline, unity, and innovation, emphasizing that formalization would unlock the sector’s potential as a significant economic force.

Baker Kasawuli, General Manager of the United Boda-Boda Riders Cooperative Union, described the retreat as a critical first step in creating a structured and empowered environment for riders. He noted that despite the boda-boda’s central role in Uganda’s transport and logistics for over two decades, the lack of unified leadership and formal structures has left riders vulnerable.

Kasawuli said the retreat had set the stage for a significant shift, with support from partners like the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Smart Life Initiative. The goal is to enable riders to move beyond daily earnings to achieve financial security through access to financial services, protection against counterfeit products, business opportunities, and a stronger collective voice.

Frank Mawejje, Chairman of the Union, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, envisioning a future where riders are respected professionals contributing meaningfully to national development.

He announced that the Union App would be central to formalizing the sector. Through the digital platform, riders can subscribe for a weekly fee of 6,000 Ugandan shillings (approximately $1.60 USD), with 1,000 shillings automatically allocated to their NSSF contributions, securing their financial future and integrating them into the national social protection system.

Rebecca Kabugo-Mugisha, Senior Manager of Partnerships and Business at NSSF, emphasized the Fund’s Smart Life Initiative as a key strategy to bring financial literacy and social protection to boda-boda riders. The initiative offers voluntary savings schemes, financial training, and retirement planning.

“When this sector is fully formalized,” Kabugo said, “we will have elevated it from a daily hustle to a platform for long-term wealth creation—enabling riders to save, invest, and retire with dignity, just like their counterparts in the formal economy.”

The leadership retreat is seen as the start of a broader national movement that, with continued support, could transform Uganda’s boda-boda industry into a resilient and recognized economic force, significantly boosting employment, mobility, and local commerce.