KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni has commended the motorcycle taxi fraternity in Busoga for maintaining peace and promoting government initiatives in the subregion.
Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, the special presidential assistant for press and mobilization and deputy press secretary to the president, delivered the message during a meeting with Busoga commercial motorcycle chairpersons at his office in Nakasero.
In his message, Museveni praised the operators for maintaining an organized organizational structure and urged them to act as ambassadors for national wealth creation initiatives. He instructed them to routinely engage passengers in conversations about state-sponsored poverty alleviation programs to drive community adoption.
Kirunda assured the leaders that all outstanding presidential pledges made to the transport fraternity will be fulfilled. He explained that current state spending priorities are focused on preparations for the African Cup of Nations and salary increments for arts teachers, after which the presidency will address the pending pledges.
Kirunda also urged the transport leaders to mobilize residents in the Busoga subregion to participate in upcoming local council elections.
Addressing financial rumors within the sector, Kirunda clarified that savings and credit cooperative organizations for local operators and mechanics have not yet received any state funding, dismissing contrary claims as false.
Maj. Emma Kuteesa confirmed that a verification exercise conducted on behalf of the State House comptroller established that the sector cooperatives in Busoga are fully registered and genuine. Kuteesa advised members to consistently save within their organizations while waiting for state capital injections, warning them against the mismanagement observed in other regions. He noted that some transport cooperatives in Kampala diverted public funds to purchase commercial minibuses, adding that those responsible will face legal prosecution.
Stephen Kisa, the Luuka South County lawmaker and chairperson of the Busoga Parliamentary Caucus, thanked the administration for its intervention in the informal transport sector and committed the caucus to driving mindset-change campaigns across the subregion.
Eria Simon Musobya, chairperson of the Busoga motorcycle operators, expressed appreciation to the president, citing Museveni’s personal attendance at their regional rally on Jan. 25, 2025, as evidence of state support for their industry.
