Boda-boda Business Activity and Socioeconomic Transformation in Wakiso District, Uganda
Abstract:
Purpose: This study established the effect of Boda-boda Business Activity (BBA) on socioeconomic transformation in Wakiso District, Uganda.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive design with quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 89 respondents were determined from 114 people at the boda-boda stage in Kitemu. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive statistics. SEM was employed to establish the causal effect between the variables.
Results: The results indicated that people joined BBA to earn a living to support their families (Mean=4.4; Std.D=0.756), due to a lack of jobs (Mean=4.07; Std.D=1.055), and ease of repairing motorbikes (Mean=3.85; Std.D=1.417). Furthermore, BBA had a significant effect on socioeconomic transformation (?=0.392; p?0.000).
Conclusion: The BBA has the potential to bring substantial socioeconomic transformation, including employment creation (mean=4.0), improved mobility (mean=4.12), and stimulated local commerce (mean=3.79) in Kitemu Ward. Thus, the BBA had a positive effect on socioeconomic transformation (?=0.392, p<0.001).
Limitation: The study employed a descriptive survey design on motorbike riders in Kitemu Ward, which might hinder generalization of the study findings. Thus, more studies need to be conducted using different research designs on a larger sample of boda-boda stages in Wakiso.
Contributions: This study provides information to the Ministry of Work and Transport on how the boda-boda sector can be improved to enhance socioeconomic transformation in Wakiso.
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- Atugi, K. D., & Chrispen, M. (2018). Effect of BODABODA Business on Rural Transport System in MERU County, Kenya. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 20(6), 9-17.
- Bakari, S., & Ntui, P. G. D. P. (2023). Contribution of bodaboda business towards Poverty alleviation among youths in Tanzania: A case of Kirumba Ward; Ilemela District, Mwanza Region. Global Scientific and Academic Research Journal of Economics, Business and Management, 2(11), 162-173.
- Byagaba, E., & Mukiibi, S. (2021). The Relationship between Public Transport and the Location of Shanty Settlements in Kampala City. East African Journal of Business and Economics, 3(1), 130-146. doi:https://doi.org/10.37284/eajbe.3.1.365
- Emmanuel, O. O. (2023). Dependency and underdevelopment in the third world countries: A Nigeria experience. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 3(2), 137-155. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v3i2.1964
- Gaba, B. S. (2023). Masculinity and bodaboda driving in Tanzania.
- Gamberini, G. L. (2014). Boda Boda: The impact of motorbike taxi service in rural Uganda. Inquiries Journal, 6(11).
- Gitonga, V. W. (2014). Factors Influencing Growth of Informal Transport Sector: a Case of Bodaboda Transport in Central Division, Embu West District. University of Nairobi.
- Hussein, I. A., Mpeta, I. F., & Mkoba, S. P. (2022). Contribution of a Bodaboda Transport Business to the Level of Income: A Case of Bodaboda Riders in Dodoma City-Tanzania. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 22(24), 67-76. doi:https://doi.org/10.9734/AJEBA/2022/v22i24895
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- Kitara, D. L., & Ikoona, E. N. (2022). Poor incomes and economic hardships among commercial motorcycle drivers (boda-boda) are associated with accidents and injuries in Gulu Municipality, Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study. Pan African medical journal, 41(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.41.274.31302
- Lenshie, N. E., Ezeibe, C. C., Joshua, M. M. a., & Nwangwu, C. (2022). From motorcycle to tricycle: neoliberal political economy, informal transportation, and urban/peri-urban Mobility in Nigerian cities. Transportation journal, 61(2), 195-227. doi:https://doi.org/10.5325/transportationj.61.2.0195
- Luvinga, K. C. (2021). The contribution of Bodaboda transport business on the livelihood of youth in Arusha Tanzania. Tengeru Community Development Journal.
- Maliro, K. (2023). 30 Years On: Boda-Boda Taxis, East Africa's Transport Lifeline. Retrieved from TRT Afrika website: https://trtafrika.com/africa/30-years-on-boda-boda-taxis-east-africas-transport-lifeline-14385534
- Mbegu, S., & Mjema, J. (2019). Poverty cycle with motorcycle taxis (Boda-Boda) business in developing countries: Evidence from Mbeya—Tanzania. Open Access Library Journal, 6(8), 1-11. doi:https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1105617
- Mbowa, H. S., Businge, M. P., Ssemaluulu, P., & Eton, M. (2023). Effect of women empowerment on women-owned business performance in Wakiso District, Uganda. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 5(3), 343-358. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v5i3.1687
- Muhammed, A. Y., Salahudeen, H., & Zubairu, D. (2021). Building a resilient infrastructure: challenges of rural transportation in Soba Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 69-82. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v1i1.370
- Mukwaya, P. I., Mbabazi, J., & Ernstson, H. (2025). Kampala: City Report.
- Musah, A., James, A. P., Asiedu-Ampomah, M., & Koomson, F. (2025). The impact of electronic procurement (E-procurement) on public sector accountability in Ghana. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 5(1), 63-77. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v5i1.1253
- Mwesigwa, D., & Wahid, K. A. (2021). Relevance of youth representation through political proportions in Uganda. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 29–41. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v1i1.330
- Nyaga, J., & Kariuki, J. (2019). The influence of motorcycles/Boda Boda on community development in rural Kenya: A study of the challenges facing motorcycle operators in Meru South Sub-County. Journal of Education and Human Development, 8(1), 86-92. doi:https://doi.org/10.15640/jehd.v8n1a10
- Okebiro, G. N. (2019). Boda Boda Motorcycle Transport Influence on Socioeconomic Empowerement of Youths and Their Households in Turkana County, Kenya.
- Okebiro, G. N., Mose, G. N., & Mamboleo, D. M. (2022). Influence of Boda Boda Riders’ Behaviour on Road Safety and Socio-economic Well-being of Lodwar Town Residents in Turkana County, Kenya. The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, 10(11). doi:https://doi.org/10.24940/theijhss/2022/v10/i11/HS2211-020
- Olawo, K. W., Isaac, O., Ombok, O. B., & Achieng, F. O. (2014). The effect of increased investment in Bodaboda business on economic empowerment of people in Kisumu west district. European Journal of Business and Management, 6, 177-184.
- Olutayo, M. A., & Adeyemo, M. A. (2024). Women’s Involvement in Keke and Boda Boda Transport Business in Nigeria and Kenya. The African Informal Economy: Structure, Dynamics, and Resilience, 5(7), 7–22. doi:https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004692657_003
- Olvera, L. D., Plat, D., & Pochet, P. (2020). Looking for the obvious: Motorcycle taxi services in Sub-Saharan African cities. Journal of Transport Geography, 88, 102476. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.102476
- Park, J., Calzavara, J., & Courtright, T. (2021). Environmental and social impact assessment of electric motorcycle taxis in Kampala, Uganda. Final report, Master’s project team, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan. Apr. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.7302/1037
- Sseguya, C. (2017). Understanding the boda-boda business, issues and drivers. Case study: Makindye division of Kampala district.
- Taherdoost, H., & Madanchian, M. (2025). The Impact of Survey Response Rates on Research Validity and Reliability Design and Validation of Research Tools and Methodologies (pp. 183-212): IGI Global.
- UBOS. (2021). The National Labour Force Survey 2021 – Main Report. Retrieved from https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/11_2022NLFS_2021_main_report.pdf
- Wandera, E. (2020). Nexus between emerging modes of transport and national security: a case study of Kenya. University of Nairobi.
- Wanume, P., Nduhura, A., Mugerwa, B., Bagambe, H., & Ninsiima, J. (2019). The dangerous Boda Boda transport mode: Mitigating an impending war on the roads in a transforming city? Case of Kampala City. Journal of Logistics Management, 8(1), 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.5923/j.logistics.20190801.01