Boda boda

[3] Their ubiquitous presence in East African cities is the result of a number of factors including an increasing demand for public transit,[1] the ability to purchase motorcycles on credit,[4] and an influx of cheap imports from Indian manufacturers like Bajaj and high level of unemployment among the youth.

[8] The term originally referred to the carrier business within smuggling operations across the Uganda Kenya border in the 1980s and early 1990s.

When the motorcycles entered the smuggling and transport businesses they out competed bicycles because of their speed, endurance and potential for distance and thus retained the label boda-boda which was synonymous fast riders.

Unlike in most other cities, motorcycle taxi drivers in Kigali, Rwanda, are generally registered and considered law-abiding.

In 2014, the motorcycle taxis had their greatest popularity globally in Uganda, with over 80,000 riding the streets of Kampala and that was where SafeBoda was begun.

Speaking with CNN,[12] Alastair Sussock said they wanted to seize upon Uganda's burgeoning young population which had relatively easy access to fast internet and smartphones.

Their community of drivers all receive extensive training in road safety, first aid, and bike maintenance in partnership with The Red Cross[15] to make them safe and professional while driving on the streets.

SafeBoda drivers are equipped with hygiene hairnets and a spare DOT-Certified helmet[16][circular reference] for their customers.