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Thrill-a-minute of boda boda riders

Counties

Boda boda thrills

Nakato is away today and asked me to regale you with tales about my life.

My name is Mukasa and I am a boda-boda rider by choice. I like the simple things in life and cannot abide by sitting in Kampala traffic jams, though I hear the ones in Nairobi are more legendary.

My life began in the village. Much as I was a good student, school fees were scarce and I had to drop out in Secondary School at Senior Two (Form Two). I came to seek my fortune in Kampala, and started off as a security guard.

Rules and regulations plus the irregular hours and poor pay were not my idea of making a good living and planning for my family.

So when my uncle asked me to partner with him in the boda-boda business, I jumped on the offer. Soon I saved enough and bought the bike off my uncle, that is when my life really begun.

I now own a plot and have a special hire (cab), to take my customers when it rains but my boda-boda is my passion.

Why would I choose to hire a driver for my cab one my wonder. Firstly, there is no entertainment. The police are the most hilarious.

One day I was stopped by a traffic officer for “jumping the lights”. As we haggled, this fellow told me to put a UGShs5,000 (Sh165) note in his pocket.

Security guards

We had to do the deed stealthily because he should not be seen taking bribes and yet we know they are the hungriest people in the country.

Luckily I had a UGShs1,000 (Sh33) note in my pocket which I quickly folded and put in his pocket and dashed to my bike.

As I whizzed past him, I saw him casually slip his hand in his pocket and pull out a brown note while he was expecting a nice bright green. He could only shake his fist at me as I rode away laughing. The security guards are also not the brightest nor have they been well exposed.

Talking of security, I was once arrested at the gate of Makerere University for entering the premises. They told me to park my bike and wait. I appeared humble and even hung my head in remorse as I waited. I knew that this would make them think I was a fool.

The minute they turned to converse, I jumped on my bike and in one practiced move gunned the engine and sped down the road to another exit.

Make money

The guards at the other end assumed I had just dropped a University staff member and swung the gates open for me. They only saw the dust in my getaway wake.

The customers are also a grand source of entertainment.

I am also reminded of one day when I was approached by a lady who told me she needs to take her sister to Butabiika Hospital, this is our mental health hospital.

She told me that I resemble her sister’s boyfriend, and therefore I only need to say I would take them home. So, we sandwiched the sick sister between us, and I must say I wished I was truly her boyfriend, as I got a very nice massage and the promise of better things once we got home.

So if you are a looking to get entertained and make money, join me in the boda-boda business and have the ride of your life.

 

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