JOSEPHINE NAJJUMA :THE USE OF TRICYCLES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO BODABODAS (BAJAJ)/ MOTOR CYCLES .
THE USE OF TRICYCLES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO BODABODAS
(BAJAJ)/ MOTOR CYCLES : A RESEARCH AND PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR KAMPALA CAPITAL
CITY AUTHORITY.
BY: NAJJUMA JOSEPHINE.
TEL. 0787714167.
Email: josephinen25@gmail.com
I
JOSEPHINE NAJJUMA, solemly swear and declare that the research and project
proposal contained herein has been compiled by me and brought to fruition
entirely by the grace of God.
And
where any reference to prior written material has been used, acknowledgement
has been done by clear indication of the details of the respective source, in
footnotes and bibliography.
josephine Najjuma..
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………….5
JUSTIFICATION
FOR THE STUDY/PROPOSAL……………………………….7
RELEVANCE
OF THIS PROJECT PROPOSAL……………………………….. 6
HISTORY
OF BODABODAS IN UGANDA……………………………………..6
METHOD
OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS………………………...7
PUBLIC
OPINION IN SUPPORT OF KCCA`S ATTEMPTS…………………...8
OPINIONS
AGAINST THE ABOLITION OF BODABODAS…………………..9
PERSONAL
OPINION AND EXPERIENCES ……………………………….....10
SUGGESTED
SOLUTION / ANSWER TO THE MAIN QUESTION…………..11
WHAT
ARE TRICYCLES………………………………………………………...11
REASONS
FOR CHOICE OF TRICYCLE WHY THEY WOULD
BE
A SUITABLE OPTION IN UGANDA…………………………………….....13
CASE
STUDIES OR OPINIONS OF COUNTRIES IN WHICH TRYCYCLES ARE BEING USED: THEIR
SUCCESS STORY(HOW THEY HAVE WORKED IN OTHER COUNTRIES)……………………………………………………………………...14
HOW
THESE CAN BE APPLIED IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES (PROJECT)…...............................................................................................…........15
PLAYERS
AND PEOPLE FRONTING…………………………………….......................................………..15
CHALLENGES
WHICH WE ARE LIKELY TO FACE………………………... 15
SOLUTIONS
TO THESE CHALLENGES…………………………………........................................………16
WORK
PLAN……………………………………………………………………..17
FINANCIAL
PLAN…………………………………………………………….....17
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………....17
LIST OF ACRONYMS:
KCCA
: Kampala Capital City Authority.
Boda
boda : The bajaj motor cycles which
are commonly used in Kampala city.
INTRODUCTION.
The
transport industry is one of Uganda`s busiest fields because, everyday,
everyone uses roads to get to work, schools, Universities and places of
worship. Some of the means of transport used include private cars, taxis, buses
and motor cycles commonly known as Bajaj/ boda boda.
A
bodaboda is a type of motorcycle driven in East Africa and more increasingly
throughout other parts of the continent. To say that there are a lot of
Bodabodas in Kampala would be an understatement. Boda Bodas are everywhere in
this city.[1]
In
a bid to decongest the city and to save lives, and in exercise of its mandate,
Kampala Capital City Authority at the beginning of 2015 laid out a plan to
abolish bodabodas from certain areas of the city centre. The
basis of their mandate is in the Kampala Capital City Authority Act, 2010 which
was enacted to promote order in the city and raise up the standards of the city
as a capital befitting its title. Its long title stipulates that the Act shall
provide for the administration of the city, the territorial boundaries of
Kampala, it provides for the authority, the powers, functions, and powers of
the Executive Directors, and for a metropolitan physical power to veto
decisions of the authority in certain circumstances and for related matters.
Section 21 of the Act provides for the metropolitan physical planning authority
whose functions include developing the physical development plan for the
capital city, planning issues, recreation parks, approving the city town
structural plans. It can veto for physical planning activities that are
inconsistent with the metropolitan authority development plan, the metropolitan
structural plan or land use policy. [2]
This makes it clear that all the efforts that are being taken by KCCA to make
Kampala city better are in fulfilment of the body`s mandate.
Today,
our hearts clap in unison to the achievements of KCCA for their innovation and
excellence which has evidently yielded results seen in a better
Kampala, with perfectly organised taxi parks, cleaner roads, a greener city, a
city with organised structures and and increasing number of buildings which are
on plan, such as our very own Wandegeya market, buildings adjacent to the taxi
parks, (to mention but a few), these have made Kampala city _a city befitting
of its name.
Remembering
our history as Kampala, characterised by rubbish hips on the roads, vendors and
traders who often sold their goods on the road sides in park yard in an
irritating, noisy and disorganised manner, road side containers which often
made the city to seem like a slum set apart. We would all naturally acknowledge
that we have KCCA to thank for the great work done and actually encourage them
and support them in all possible ways to do greater works in this city.
Wheras
the changes made by KCCA have been welcome by some people since their initial
stages, it is undeniable that, despite their relentless efforts, often the
proposed changes have been unwelcome by the masses, a case in the point is the
earlier mentioned proposed abolition of boda bodas from reaching certain parts
of the city. Wheras some people have welcomed this idea, to many, it has been
greeted with a lot of hostility. And the main question among the masses has
been; “if this proposed policy is effected,
what alternative is KCCA going to offer to the different affected people
especially those who depend on Boda bodas in various ways?”
Therefore,
the fore going events regarding the proposed and necessary abolition of boda
bodas and the need for a better solution are the basis of the research and
project proposal set out herein.
HISTORY OF BODABODAS IN UGANDA.
Following
the end of British Colonial rule in Uganda and the demarcation of boundaries,
increased filled out paper work became a requirement for motor vehicles
crossing through the area between the boarders of these newly independent
nations of Kenya and Uganda. Out of such bureaucracy emerged a new idea; people
began offering bicycle rides across the boader to avoid paper work. This begun
in the southern boarder town of Busia, where there is over a half a mile
between the boarder posts, and it soon spread to the Northern border town of
Malaba. As a way of vying for the attention of potential customers for a quick
ride through, bicycle drivers would shout out “boda boda” to mean border to
border. While in Kampala there are no borders being crossed, and the bicycles
have been replaced by loud polluting motorcycles that cause a lot of congestion
in the city; never the less, the name “boda_boda” remains, and is used today in
reference to the bajaj motor cycles which are ramparnt in this city.
RELEVANCE OF THIS PROJECT PROPOSAL
AIMS / OBJECTIVES.
·
To build rapport
between KCCA and the public by reconciling the objectives of KCCA in abolition
of bodabodas with the interests of the people.
·
To suggest a better way
of decongesting the city and yet not deprive people of their source of
livelihood and transportation.
·
To suggest/ introduce a
safer and perfect alternative to the use of motorcycles, which is tricycles.
·
To edify the masses on
the true and noble intentions of KCCA in abolishing bodabodas.
·
To suggest/ avail alternative
employment to previous motor cyclists, riding tricycles which require similar
skill.
·
To raise people`s
awareness on the several disadvantages of boda boda motor cycles in the city
and why an alternative would be better.
·
To inform people about all
the advantages of tricycles over boda boda motorcycles.
·
To avail/ sell to
people the tricycles as an alternative to the motorcycle.
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY/ PROPOSAL.
For
years every Ugandan operated under the belief that nothing whatsoever would ever
improve the general outlook of Kampala city form a surburb like small town characterized by goods placed in the middle of the roads and on the road sides
for sale, rubbish hips and dirt, disorganized buildings, scattered containers,
dust and fumes from fluro carbons.
We
were wrong, and this comes as a testimony to our changed reality. The recent
undertakings by Kampala Capital City Authority have literally revolutionized
Kampala and the results of their efforts have left all of us with a renewed profound sense of humility. It is trite to
note that during the times of utmost challenges and controversy, KCCA has
managed to set up better structures comprising of taxi parks and traders
markets, to organize the city, to maintain the cleanliness of the city`s roads,
to demarcate areas allowed for market vendors interalia.
As
we embrace our past for the teacher it has been, we do not neglect to
acknowledge that still, surpassing positive change can and will be achieved by
KCCA in the transport sector, if we
co.operate to ease their work and enable them achieve their set objectives in
the transport industry.
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS.
Desk work or research: Desk
work has been employed particularly to review the previous written documents on
the same topic, research in news papers to find out KCCA`s rationale and public
opinion towards the abolition of boda bodas. Social media posts have also been
looked in to to get a clear picture of the views of various kinds of people.
Interviews: These
were aimed at obtaining the opinion of a few boda boda men towards the
abolition of boda bodas from the city centre.
KCCA`S PLAN TO ABOLISH BODABODA`S FROM THE CITY CENTRE.
This
noble programme is being undertaken by KCCA with a lot of confidence to
safeguard lives in this city and bring relief to the pressure caused by
reckless and irresponsible traffic behaviour.[3]
It is also done in an effort to stream line and decongest the city. There is
need to reduce the congestion and traffic jams that are commonly found on
Kampala roads, there is urgent need to re-organise and create order in the city.
According
to KCCA, government offices, hotels,banks, will under the new arrangement be no
go areas for the motor cycle riders.
The
question that many people are asking is whether
KCCA is doing the right thing?[4]
PUBLIC OPINION IN SUPPORT OF KCCA`S DECISION TO
ABOLISH BODA BODAS FROM THE CITY CENTRE.
This
was particularly informed by disadvantages of boda bodas, which include:
Disadvantages of Boda bodas:
·
They are too many Boda
bodas in Kampala city. This has led to congestion of the city. Their number is
too high to be contained in the city`s roads and they have become a nuisance. There
are over 145,000 boda boda cyclists in Kampala District and these are not
regulated, these operators are to blame for causing traffic mess and accidents.[5]
The increasing numbers of boda boda operators are becoming a menace to the
city, thus creating a security threat because cyclists donot operate in an
organised manner. “The other countries
which have grown in to well- organised cities such as Kigali, London, Hong Kong
have had to endure certain levels of
inconvenience, but they set rules and abide by them. Otherwise, we can not
simply continue enduring the chaos caused by the boda bodas.”[6]
·
Related to that, they
have no respect for pedestrians paths and road sides, because they are too
many. This has increased the level of insecurity for the common man, the
pedestrian who has to walk extremely cautiously in this city, while looking
behind, infront, left right and centre, to ensure a manouvering Bajaj does not
knock him/her down.
·
They have caused
innumerable accidents, characterised by knocking down people and riding off.
They rarely take responsibility for their actions. The impact of their erratic
way of conducting bussiness has been far reaching to an extent that the medical
supritendent of Mulago hospital is on record complaining that they are treating
abnormally high numbers of casualities arising from boda boda accidents and
this is causing un anticipated strain on the hospital budget.
·
Their centre of gravity
is questionable, they have only two tyres. This implies that once at a high
speed and are knocked slightly by a fellow boda boda or any other vehicle, the
inevitable result is an accident, resulting in to grave injuries and loss of
lives.
·
The speed at which boda
bodas ride is unprecedented. They are too fast and their riders operate with a
distinguished level of impatience commonly known as “wasi wasi” which has
often culminated in to the knocking down of passerbys.
· They are small in size,
hence tend to squeeze between cars in cases of traffic jam, and leave other
peoples cars with scratches, and damages on their side mirrors.
· There is no guarantee
of safety once on a boda boda, because, there is no wall/ body like that of a
car, no seat belts, hence people tend to fall off, the appalling negative
attitude towards helmets in the city also worsens the situation in that, those
involved in bodaboda accidents often end up with skull injuries in the absence
of helmets.
·
Boda bodas fares have
become extremely expensive.[7]
They are actually more expensive than taxis. A bodaboda ride from town to USAFI
market park is 2000/= which is more expensive than a taxi from USAFI market
park up to Bunga – Gabba which is 1300/= only. They seem to be taking advantage
of the fact that they are the fastest means of transport to over charge
people. Hence abolishing them would be
justified.
PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST THE ABOLITION OF BODABODAS.
“The
objection and negativity held by the masses towards the abolition of boda bodas
from the city centre was demonstrated upon the demarcation of signposts in the
areas where boda boda stages are prohibited, unidentified people
werevandalising the KCCA sign posts. KCCA arrested two motor cyclists and
impounded nine motor cycles of those who were involved in removing the sign
posts.”[8]
People who claim that boda bodas should
not be abolished raise several reasons which take on the form of advantages of
boda bodas and so much more.
Advantages of Bodabodas:
·
Boda bodas have been
very advantagious, the great role they have always played in this city can not
be ignored. These include:
· Accessibility:
they can be found any where any time. Even in a deep village or near a night
club at midnight, one can find a boda boda and use it as a means of transport
to his home.
·
Acess:
Boda bodas can reach all parts of the city and all parts of the country. They
have a distinct ability to tread on small paths which would rather be
inaccessible by taxis and buses. And bodaboda cyclists are remarkable for their
genius and knowledge of the location of even the deepest and unknown parts and
offices in the seat, even when a person is not sure of the location of the
place they are going to, they can safely use the help of a bodaboda cyclist who
knows all places around the city. The use of boda bodas has increased access to
otherwise would-have- been inaccessible areas in this city.[9]
For this reason they are re-known for dropping off people to school and to
work. it will be so bad for KCCA to wake up and say motor cycles can or can not
reach this area/ zone without telling whoever goes there what the alternative
is. If KCCA abolishes boda bodas from the city center, they would certainly not
have taken in to consideration a passenger who is dropped by a taxi at clock
tower, yet he is going to Kampala road. This would imply too much walking,
which is both time wasting and tiresome.
·
They save time and help
people to arrive at their places of work in time. This is because they do not
waste time in traffic jam. Boda bodas are re_known for maneuvering their way
through the traffic jam and arriving at the required place of destiny in a few
minutes.
·
They are a source of
employment for the motorcyclists, who include a lot of youth, school drop outs
and graduates, a case in point is Mr.Sekitoleko who despite holding a diploma
in tourism and hospitality, resorted to bodaboda riding due to lack of jobs, he
has been riding around kampala for so many years to an extent that, he is
thinking about what to do in case they are kicked out the city in vain.
According to him, if abolished, boda boda riders will be rendered unemployed or
only half employed and crime rate is going to increase.
Personal opinion and experiences which cause me to
support the abolition of bodabodas.
Apart
from the constant sense of insecurity that overwhelms me as I walk through this
city, boda bodas have taken the lives of people I have known personally and
injured several others who we hold dear to our hearts.
On
25th December 2003, the world over rejoiced in celebration of a new
born king, called Jesus. But for my family, it was a day full of sorrow, grief
and mourning the sudden demise of Ms. Nakitende Resity, a 43 year old lady in a
boda boda accident. To nine, she was a mother, to many a sister, a cousin a
grandmother, and to me a dear Auntie, yet to the entire extended family, she
was the hard working lady who took it upon her self to engage in the farming
activities and provide food to all the orphaned children. But on that fateful
day, while seated on a boda boda to a little village called wabiyinja, a stone
filled road in Mityana district, she accidentally fell off the boda boda, while
the edge of her long gomasi dress remained caught in between the wheel of the
boda boda, little was the rider aware, as he continued to ride, she constantly
hit her head on the rocks,and bled to death. Her sudden demise left our family
in deep sorrow and a wave of confusion swept through, as every one looked
around in search for the answer as to who would would stand in the gap, to feed
an extended family like ours, and take care of the orphans. To us as a family,
it was an unforgettable dark moment, whose sorrowful memories continue to flood
our minds every Christmas day.
In
September, 2013, a boda boda caused grievous bodily harm to my own father,
Mr.Mutyaba John. As he crossed a road near Kawempe police station on his way to
work, he was knocked down by a speeding boda boda, causing grave injury to his
ankle, by cutting in to the ligament to the piercing of the inner parts of the
joint, causing a deep wound which intensified and expanded for several months,
and caused all the doctors to re-echoe the same worry, “it is likely to turn in
to cancer” _ as I watched my father lying helplessly with a decaying foot, I
cried to God, beseeching for his mercy on my family and for an answer, an
answer that would change the system, not to the rendering the motor cyclists
jobless, but to the reconciliation of both ends, saving lives, but with
Ugandans still employed.
In
my opinion, Boda bodas ought to be abolished as soon as possible and
practicable, because, apart from being a public nuisance, they are extremely
risky. It is unfathomable how a human being sits presumably comfortably on a
two wheeled speeding motor cycle, carrying another human being or even two
other human beings. To worsen matters, there are no seat belts, not to mention
the persistent negative attitude towards helmets. Yet despite all this, a dear
customer holds tenderly on to the waist line of the cycle rider, in the hope of
reaching home safely, but as the impatient rider tries to maneuver through the
traffic jam, the usual inevitable accidents occur, and we say, Rest in peace, yet the same dangerous
motor cycles continue to flood the city streets. It beats my understanding, and
keeps me wondering what manner of explanation will suffice as we explain to
the next generation that we saw it all,but even when we could do something
about it, we condoned it and the only explanation we can give as to the jungle
like congested city and a multi million orphans due to parents lost to motor
cycle accidents is only but our own complacency and tolerance, not to mention
our refusal to embrace new ideas that call for change.
As
our children continue to question the credibility of our excuse for the way
things are, I fore see our faces buried in our hands, not in shame, but in
grief, for never having drawn a line in the sand, flipped a switch and taken
the step we ought to take against all odds.
Therefore,
to have a well organized city, there is need for certain elements to be dealt
away with, however, there is also need to offer an alternative to those who
would be victims of the changes being implemented. Hence the need for KCCA to
adopt a better solution to the boda bodas.
SUGGESTED
SOLUTION / ANSWER TO THE MAIN QUESTION
Uganda
has one of the highest unemployment rates with joblessness among youth estimated
by the labour ministry at over 70%. The best solution would be to implement the
new policy without necessarily causing any negative impacts such as
unemployment. The best solution to the problem in question is therefore the
introduction of the tricycle.
WHAT IS A TRICYCLE.
A
tricycle is a motor vehicle which is used on the road as a mode of transport
for private and commercial uses either for passengers or for deliveries. It assumes
different names in most cities such as three wheeler, auto rick shaw, tuk-tuk,
trishaw, auto rick shaw, auto rick, tricycle, mototaxi, or baby taxi in popular
parlance. The tricycle is therefore a
motorized version of the traditional rickshaw or relotaxi, a small three
wheeled cart operated by a single individual and is a three wheeled cabin.
It
is generally characterized by a sheet- metal body or open frame resting on
three wheels, a canvas roof with drop down sides, a small cabin in the front of
the vehicle for the driver, and sitting space for up to three passengers in the
rear.
It
is generally fitted with an air cooled motor cycle engine, with handle bar
controls instead of steering wheel. Human powered tricycles are usually powered
by pedals, although some models have hand cranks.
A tricycle is a vehicle with powerful Diesel
engines, a fuel tank capacity of 10.5 litres. They have passenger capacity of
four people, and pay load capacity of 320kg. They also have adequate room for
passenger luggage and speed up to 80km per hour. The vehicles are suitable for
intra- city commuting and commercial passenger carriage with low fuel
consumption of 38km per litre.
Today,
there are also petrol engine tricycles which are in operation. These are
smaller in capacity than the diesel type and appear to be favoured both by the
operators and the passengers mainly, due to the low noise and vibration which
they generate. They also produce cleaner exhaust fumes than the diesel type of
engines.[10]
Types of tricycle combustion engines:
There
are two types of combustion engines in operation in tricycles which are used in
countries like Nigeria:
A four stroke engine:
this completes the same four processes
(intake, compression, combustion, exhaust).
A two stroke engine: is
an internal combustion engine which completes the thermodynamic cycle in two
movements of the piston. Two strokes only
takes on compression stroke and the end of combustion stroke to perform the
intake and exhaust functions.
It
allows a power stroke for every revolution of the crank, instead of every
second revolution as in a four stroke engine. Hence two stroke engines provide
high specific power, they are valued for
use in portable light weight applications and large scale industrial
applications like locomotives.[11]
REASONS FOR CHOICE OF TRICYCLE: WHY THEY WOULD BE A
SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE IN UGANDA.
These
have been preferred because apart from playing a similar role to bodabodas,
they have several advantages over bodabodas.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE TRICYCLES OVER BAJAJ/
BODA BODAS?
· De-congesting
the city: unlike a bajaj/ bodabodas whose
transportation capacity is limited to one person at a time. A single tricycle
has inbuilt capacity to transport as many as 3 individuals at ago. This implies
fewer tricycles would be necessary to transport all the people that a multitude
of boda bodas have been ferrying.
·
Potential
to access even unreachable areas: In the city,
there are certain areas that would become inaccessible in the absence of boda
bodas. These include areas where taxis can not reach, for example in
residential areas. The introduction of the tricycle would be advantageous in
that tricycles can access all areas of the city and the country, in the same
manner in which boda boda motor cycles used to or even in a better manner
because they are stronger and three wheeled which makes them able to tread on
all grounds with ease. They can actually drop off the passenger at his / her
door step.
·
Tricycles
will solve the question of unemployment:
the general build of the inner parts of the tricycle is similar to that of a
boda boda. This implies that the same skill that is required to ride motorcycle
is required to ride a tricycle. Therefore, the previous motor cyclists would
have no reason to be afraid of being rendered unemployed.
·
Saving
time yet traveling safely: tricycles are
relatively fast to avoid delay and yet not too fast as to cause accidents.
Their time management comes in a way that, unlike taxis which require 14
passengers to move, the tricycles require only three and can even move simply
one customer comfortably to his destination. Hence saving time.
·
Saving
lives: lives of people which have been under a
constant threat of bajaj accidents will be preserved. This is because the tricycles
have an outer body cabin, similar to that of a car, so there are no risks of a
passenger falling off, this also renders the issue of head helmets which has
been grappled with for so long absolutely solved. A passenger seated safely and
comfortably in a mini taxi like tricycle has no need for a head helmet. More to
that, simple seat belts can be introduced in to the tricycle with accustomed
ease to guarantee safety.
·
Comfort:
unlike bodabodas where passengers run
the risk of being scotched by sunshine or hit by rainfall on a shiny or rainy
day respectively, which lead to over speeding in order to avoid the rain and
the motorists end up causing accidents on such rainy days, tricycles have well
built compartments in which the passenger will neither be scotched by the
sunshine nor hit by the rain.
·
They are relatively
cheap, and easy to maintain, original, affordable and of
good
quality.
CASE STUDIES OR OPINIONS OF COUNTRIES IN WHICH TRICYCLES ARE BEING USED: THEIR SUCCESS STORY (HOW THEY HAVE WORKED IN OTHER COUNTRIES).
In analyzing the role played by the tricycle and the level of its acceptance by
city commuters among other transport modes in Nigeria, N.Dike Declan[12]
noted that, tricycles have made a significant contribution to public
transportation in Nigerian cities, they have been an essential means of
transportation in towns and cities because they cater for the movement of
people for different human activities.
Related
to Uganda`s situation, Declan further noted that, as the size and population of
the city grow, the demand for passenger transportation gets more complex and
difficult to satisfy. Interest was geered towards motorcycles, this led to an unprecedented surge in the number of motorcycles in the cities and
controllable case of traffic accidents, following this, the traffic system became
chaotic and a nightmare.
As
a result of that, some state governments placed a ban on the use of the motor
cycles in their state capitals and immediately substituted it with the
tricycle. After the ban of motorcycles, the need for tricycles became obvious.
As soon as this happened, virtually all those who were in to commercial motorcycle
transport and many others who were unemployed went in to tricycle
transportation business.This helped in creating jobs for the teaming unemployed
Nigerians.
Today,
the tricycle has gained ground in Nigerian towns and cities and has become
another mode of transport on its own unique class: and its presence is
gradually penetrating rural areas too. Some state governments claim that the
best thing that has happened to the transport system was the introduction of
the tricycle.
The
use of tricycles in Nigeria, was adopted not only as a poverty eradication
scheme, but also as a means of providing affordable safe and convenient
transportation means. The increase in urban population particularly those
residing in smaller settlements in the city centers was the primary reason for
the demand for tricycles. Tricycles in Nigeria were taken on as the brands of
motorcycles with side cars. Today, they are preferred operate in all parts of
Nigeria`s cities including smaller roads, lanes, and alleys where other public
transportation do not operate.[13]
According
to Dr.Ibrahim Vandu –Chikolo,[14]
the tricycle has become household name playing
name playing a pivotal role in the urban transportation system of the
country, for since 2001, in a bid to ease transportation problem and avenue for
self employment of the unemployed commercial tricycles were introduced which
became known as keke napep.
Today,
tricycles are used in very many developed and developing countries:
In
Egypt, particularly in areas like
Alexandria, auto rick shaw tricycles are used to access long streets where the
use of taxis would be uneconomical/ impossible.
In
India, tricycles are present all
over the country as they provide cheap and efficicient transportation.
Other
countries which use tricycles include: Banjul- Gambia,Kenya, Tanzania,
Mozambique, Bangladesh, Cambodia and the Gaza, Indonesia, Pakistan,
Philippines, Sirlanka,Thailand,Vietnam, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom,
Elsavador, Cuba,Guatemala and Peru.[15]
HOW THESE CAN BE APPLIED IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES
(PROJECT).
The
above are applicable to Uganda in that, they give us confidence that the use of
tricycles will suffice as an appropriate replacement to motorcycles, and will
equally be successful in Uganda. looking at a country like Nigeria, where there
were boda bodas, which had become a nuisance in some cities, and upon their
abolition, tricycles were introduced, and were indeed a successful and welcome
change as discussed above.
PLAYERS AND PEOPLE FRONTING THE PROJECT.
·
Kampala Capital City
Authority.
·
Project proposer:
Josephine Najjuma.
·
Any others as suggested
and agreed upon by the above parties.
CHALLENGES WHICH WE ARE LIKELY TO FACE.
·
Slight opposition of
the policy and the alternative offered, from boda boda cyclists for instance
questioning where they should put their old stock of bajaj boda bodas and where
they should get money to buy the new tricycle from.
·
Finances for the
project, expenditures are envisaged at every stage of the project, from its
initial stages, to importation of the samples, promoton and edification of the
masses in line with the earlier listed aims of this project proposal.
·
Particularities of the
product, this rotates about the quality, tenacity, capacity and durability af
the tricycle.
·
Environmental challenge,
characterised by emission of particles and noise.
·
Lack of parks and
terminals.
·
Their increase in
number which could lead to congestion.
Some of these problems
were faced in other jurisdictions such as Nigeria, they are also likely to be
experienced in Uganda, it is therefore expedient that a stich in time, saves nine.
·
Apparent lack of
traffic training of operators.
·
Lack of control of
operators.
·
Recklessness in
operation.
·
Exposure to weather.
·
Operation without a
driver`s licence
·
Risk on high way.
SOLUTIONS TO THESE CHALLENGES
·
Acceptance and
willingness of KCCA to avail the required funds for the entire project.
·
Informing of the masses
in particular the boda boda cyclists of the noble intentions of KCCA, and how
much KCCA cares about their interests as seen in going an extra mile to avail
an alternative means of transport and which suffices for their employment.
·
Taking security
measures to curb any threat of strikes or violence by the resistant boda boda
cyclists, if necessary.
·
Particularising on the
manufacturing company, which is going to supply us with the tricycles in
question. Ensuring the goods supplied match the description, and are fit for
the purpose for which they are required. Ensuring such things as guarantee are
given by the company, descriptive guiding manuals on how the particular
tricycles are to be used, availability of spare parts, and ascertainment of
other contractual terms and conditions.
·
Advise those who wish
to get finances to sell of the bajaj motorcycles or save and buy the tricycles.
Long ago, the commonest type of motorcycles in Uganda were the moped and motor
scooters, however, with the introduction of the Bajaj motor cycles, the moped
soon vacated the country, some how, market for them showed up else where and
they were sold off. A few years later, every youth had purchased a bajaj motor
cycle. I believe the process will be simillar for tricycles.
·
Adopt petrol engine
tricycles which are noted for low noise and vibration which they generate. They
also produce cleaner exhaust fumes as compared to diesel engine tricycles. This
will preserve Kampala city`s environment, which is remakably full of green
trees and relatively clean air.
·
Imposition of a
monopoly by KCCA as the sole importer seller and distributor of tricycles in
Uganda. This would prevent an influx which has occurred incases of other
vehicles such as taxis and private cars. By KCCA retaining the monopoly powers,
it implies that it remains with the absolute control of the number of tricycles
in the city, and indeed achieves its aim of decongesting the city.
·
Mounting a mandatory
training programme and issuance of certificate of participation, regulation and
enforcement standards, train regulate and monitor, buy fully covered ones with
a body to curb bad weather, train test and issue driving licences, restrict
them and control their operation.
WORK PLAN
·
Deliberation and
approval of project proposal by KCCA.
·
Specifications of type
quality and structure of the tricycle that you desire to import.
·
Raising of funds and
other requirements, such as identified testing experts, issuance of permits
interalia.
·
Importation from
manufacturers in countries like India. This is because in India, the buyer
contracts directly with the factory, however, when a person chooses to import
from China, he or she contracts, or makes orders with the trading partners and
not directly with the manufacturers.[16]
This makes India preferred over China.
·
Edification through
advertisements to the masses, regarding KCCA`s intentions, rationale and the
restrict ions involved, such as, no other person is expected to import
tricycles, apart from KCCA.
·
Announcing the abolition
of tricycles by KCCA.
·
Sale of tricycles
·
Having and organized,
de_congested and safe city.
FINANCIAL PLAN.
The
final financial plan will certainly be laid out upon approval of this project
by KCCA, however, it suffices to note that, certain expenditures will be
incurred in deliberating on the matter, importing of tricycles, finding an
outlet for bodabodas, finding a place where the sale of tricycles can be done,
if non is available, processing of copies of permits, remuneration of people
involved such as those testing the capability of cyclists, and advertising and
educating the masses on the matters concerning the policy discussed herein.
CONCLUSION.
All
in all, the plan by Kampala Capital City Authority to abolish bodabodas was ingenious, considering the dangers, congestion and other disadvantages that were
associated with bodabodas. Appreciating the advantages of tricycles shows that
they would suffice as an adequate replacement to bodabodas, to keep cyclists in
employment, yet at the same time, to achieve the aims of Kampala Capital City
Authority.
[1] Bodabodas; Kampala`s
most efficient form of transportation, for better or worse Laura
Sellmansberger/KF19/Uganda. http://fellowsblog.kiva.org/fellowsblog/2012/10/18/bodabodas_ most efficient- form of transport_ for better
or worse.
[2] S. 22 KCCA Act
[3] Mr.Kaujju Peter,KCCA
spokes person, as reported in www.monitor.co.ug/news/National/KCCA-stops-boda-boda- from -city-centre. Monday,June,29,2015.
[5] www.redpepper.co.ug/KCCA-finalises-plans-to-throw-145000-boda boda cyclists out of the city, May 18,2013
KCCA finalises plans to throw 145,000 boda boda cyclists out of Kampala.
[10] N. Dike Declan, An Empirical
study of the use of tricycles as a public transport mode in Nigerian cities, pg
67.(Department of Transport Management Technology, Federal University of
Technology, Oweri Mostate. At,
www.isdrcjournals.com/index.php/publications.table-forms?)
[11] Oladipupo Akin_Tepede,
Impediments to Adopting sustainable transportation in Developing countries _The
case of tricycles in Nigeria.(University of Gavle, Department of Business
Administration).
[14] Dr.Ibrahim Vandu- Chikolo, The Director General Chief Execuitive of Nigerian institute of transport
technology NITT, at the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) stakeholders
forum for agencies and operators of tricycles in Nigeria 25th
June,2009.
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