Boda-boda riders in Kampala have endorsed one of their own, Francis Mawejje, to run against President Museveni in the 2026 general elections.
Mawejje, a 2024 graduate of Cavendish University, officially announced his presidential bid on April 14 during an event in Mengo-Lungujja, a Kampala suburb. At the gathering, he unveiled his “Boda-Boda Manifesto,” outlining a seven-point agenda aimed at addressing Uganda’s social and economic struggles.
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He pledged to prioritize tackling youth unemployment, fixing the healthcare and education systems, fighting corruption, ending nepotism, and lowering production costs.
“Our economy is largely a ‘Boda Economy’—a hand-to-mouth reality where people wake up unsure if they’ll earn anything,” Mawejje told supporters. “You find six people sharing a single shop, yet by day’s end, they still can’t make enough. It’s a system full of daily setbacks and no support.”
He went on to highlight how the informal sector suffers from systemic neglect, likening everyday economic struggles to “accidents” with no safety nets.
“If a boda-boda rider is in an accident, they’re on their own for months—no insurance, no help,” he said. “Even mobile money operators losing money in a transaction, or vendors like Maama Naaki cooking food no one buys, face losses that feel like accidents.”
Mawejje’s speech resonated with fellow riders at the launch, who expressed frustration over being sidelined.
“We’re tired of being tools for others’ gain,” said Moses Miro, one of the riders. “It’s time we supported one of our own into national leadership.”
Mawejje is now the second youthful candidate to declare a presidential bid, joining David Magezi, a MUBS graduate who launched his campaign in February.
President Museveni, in power since 1986, has previously faced challengers like Dr. Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine). Uganda’s next general elections are scheduled for January 2026.
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