By Shivan Ayebare
Rubanda East MP and Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi has pledged to push for stronger government support for boda boda riders through insurance coverage, motorcycle ownership, and affordable financing.
Speaking on the second day of his campaign in Kibuzigye, Musasizi said he plans to engage President Yoweri Museveni and Cabinet on setting aside funds to establish a boda boda SACCO or work directly with boda boda companies to ease access to ownership.
Under the proposal, riders would receive loans through a SACCO to acquire motorcycles. Instead of paying daily or weekly fees to private owners, those payments would go toward loan repayment, allowing riders to eventually own the motorcycles they operate.
“Many riders pay owners every day or every week, yet the motorcycle never becomes theirs. I want those payments treated as loan repayments so that once a rider finishes paying, the boda boda becomes his,” Musasizi said.
He said the loans would be interest-free, easing the financial pressure on riders and helping them avoid debt traps. Once the loan is cleared, ownership would automatically transfer to the rider.
Musasizi said the plan, combined with insurance for boda boda riders, would protect families in case of accidents, improve incomes, and provide long-term financial security. He added that empowering riders through ownership and insurance would strengthen the local economy and support thousands of households that depend on the sector.
Turning to agriculture, Musasizi noted that more than 90 percent of residents in Rubanda District rely on farming, particularly Irish potato growing and other agricultural activities, as their main source of livelihood. He described agriculture as the backbone of the district’s economy and reaffirmed government support for farmers at the grassroots.
He announced that in the next financial year, Parish Development Model (PDM) funding will increase from Shs100 million to Shs115 million per parish, aimed at boosting household incomes and agricultural productivity.
According to Musasizi, the additional funding will help farmers access capital for inputs, value addition, and small-scale enterprises. He added that religious leaders, local council leaders, and other community stakeholders will also benefit through their role in mobilising communities to effectively use government programmes.
Musasizi urged residents to embrace the PDM programme and ensure funds are used for income-generating activities, calling for unity and transparency to ensure the increased funding delivers tangible benefits at household level.
