This is the second part of a three part series I am writing on Public Transport in Kampala, Uganda.
In part one I talked about Taxis. In this part we will cover Boda-Bodas.
Originally a Boda-Boda was a bicycle operating between borders across the often wide no-mans-land at the African border crossings. They ferried passengers and their belongings from one border post to the other; border-to-border hence boda boda.
Now a days they operate all over the city of Kampala going anywhere and everywhere in the city. The original bicycle Bodas are still here but have been joined by small motorcycles. As they can weave their way through traffic they are often the fastest way from A to B. This comes at a price though. Generally it is more expensive to go by boda. It is also more dangerous.
They also carry all sorts of goods. Anything that can fit on a boda will be carried by a boda. It is amazing what can be carried on a boda. A bicycle boda can carry up to 7 crates full of soda. Or 4 20L jerry cans full of water. Even nursery school children are taken to and from school by boda, up to 3 children on the same boda.
You can hire a boda almost everywhere in town. They have stages all over the city, where there usually are boda drivers waiting to be hired. Or you can flag one down when he is passing. And if you - as a muzungu at least - are walking towards or past a boda free for hire they will often offer their services to you.
In the third and final part tomorrow we will cover cabs and special hires.
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