The Boda-Boda

Here's an overview of urban Uganda's transportation of choice, the boda-boda.

These little mopeds / motorcycles ride where vehicular traffic would not dare to tread, weaving amongst angry rush-hour commuters, sidewalks filled with pedestrians, and dirt roads carved with mini Rift-Valleys. For less than a dollar, you can sit back, feel the wind in your hair, and feel your adrenalin rush as your life is put in the hands of fate and teenage speed demon.

When Peace and Arne met me at the airport, they had picked up a brochure that said: "Be aware, be VERY aware", complete with a bunch of gruesomely graphic pictures of mangled bodies post-bodaboda accident. It advised against ever taking a bodaboda, or if you must, insisting that the driver provide helmets and not being afraid to ask him to slow down. OK - that is a terrific idea.

But... let's do a reality check: for most Ugandans, the bodaboda is the only way to go. A taxi that would cost about 15,000 Ugandan Shillings (~$9) or a communal van, or 'matatu', which would take you along limited routes for about 800 shillings (45¢) would crawl along slower than you could, well, crawl yourself. For a mere 3000 USh (about $2.15), not only do you get a ride on a faster vehicle, you also have the benefit of bouncing off road - pedestrians and chickens notwithstanding.

So, here's a video that will help you to appreciate both the danger and the exhilaration of riding on a boda through the city. The pic of Peace and me on the boda is courtesy of Arne. See if you can identify anyone in the video wearing a helmet. Bonus points if you can see me in the rearview mirror, or if you can find Peace or Arne!