Several boda boda riders have defied the ban on public transport, a day after President Yoweri Museveni banned all public means.
President Museveni on Wednesday evening issued an order suspending the use of public transport in order to short-circuit the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 disease.
The vehicles suspended include all taxis, all coasters, minibuses, buses, passenger trains tuku tuku and boda bodas.
However, by Thursday morning, several boda boda riders were seen carrying more than two people along the by-pass, while many others around Kamwokya and the town centre.
Isaac Arinaitwe, a boda boda rider who was carrying two people, says he worked in the night and was only returning home at 7:00 am.
He says the presidential directive was good in stopping the disease, but many of them have to work to meet their dues.
“My children are at home, I usually make money daily, but stopping boda boda’s at this time, you will affect us. At least they should let us carry say only a person and observe hygiene” Arinaitwe said.
Adding “I ordered for a safe boda for a trip from kamwokya to Kololo, and a safe boda fully clad on safe boda uniform came and was willing to transport this directive”
The rider, alone told me that he is still working and they have not got any directive from the company to stop working.
“Even taxify is still on, I have so far carried four people since morning, but the company has not told us to stop, and the app is still on” he said.
Meanwhile taxi drivers have all observed the ban despite protesting it.
From Kawanda to Bwaise and Kamwokya areas there were no taxis operational. At the Northern bypass, there were also no taxis, but most private cars and trucks.
