Boda Boda Riders Must Be Insured – Gen Katumba Wamala
Wamala expressed concern over the transport sector, where many vehicles, including boda bodas, operate without mandatory Motor Third Party Insurance. He called for stronger public education and reforms to make insurance more accessible and trusted.
Ministry of Works and Transport has called on all government departments to insure their assets, saying this would not only reduce risk but also boost the country’s low insurance penetration rate.
Speaking at the 14th Insurance Agents Awards in Kampala, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister for Works and Transport, revealed that his ministry insures most of its assets, including aircraft, trains, water vessels, and road vehicles.
He urged other ministries to follow suit, noting that Uganda’s insurance penetration remains low, at just 0.8% of GDP, despite the government being the largest owner of movable and immovable assets.
Wamala expressed concern over the transport sector, where many vehicles, including boda bodas, operate without mandatory Motor Third Party Insurance. He called for stronger public education and reforms to make insurance more accessible and trusted.
“We cannot wish away the boda boda sector. They are doing a good job transporting passengers, but they are the least insured,” he said.
The minister also pushed for the swift review of the outdated Motor Vehicle Insurance Act to protect accident victims and promote accountability on the road.
Highlighting the broader picture, he said Uganda’s long-awaited National Health Insurance Scheme remains a potential game changer for social protection, but needs more political support to take off.
The awards event, organised by the Uganda Insurers Association (UIA), saw UAP Old Mutual’s Justine Namugosa named Overall Agent of the Year.
