ITMS donated pink reflector jackets to women boda riders in Kampala to improve visibility, road safety, and inclusion.
In celebrating mothers, ITMS equips women boda riders with protective gear “The reflector jackets are expected to improve our visibility, especially during night operations, assuring that we go back home to our kids.” Members of the Wakaliga-based Twezimbe Women Boda Boda Association get set to ride off after receiving a donation of reflector jackets from ITMS to enhance their safety on the road, on May 10, 2026 in Kampala.. (Courtesy photo) __________________________ ROAD SAFETY It
is challenging enough eking out a living as a boda boda rider, but it is even more daunting doing so as a female in a business dominated by men.But for one resolute group of women based in Uganda’s capital Kampala, what men can do in this competitive sub-sector of the transport industry, they too can.With a membership of 150 female riders, the Twezimbe Women Boda Boda Association based in Wakaliga in Rubaga division is testament
to the growing interest of women in the boda boda business.Theirs is an illustration of a determination to break barriers in the traditionally male-dominated industry while working tirelessly to provide for their families and at the same time thriving in their work.The reality is that it is risky business, which means safety on the road is paramount.Therefore, in celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) extended support to the women
boda boda riders in the form of a donation of fittingly pink reflector jackets aimed at promoting road safety, visibility, and empowerment for women in the transport.ITMS is a technology-driven, government-led initiative launched in 2023 to improve road safety, traffic management, and national security through advanced digital tools.Dathive Mukeshimana, the chairperson of Twezimbe Women Boda Boda Association, applauded such initiative of business for empowering female riders.”It’s challenging to be a mother and a boda boda
rider due to various factors that are related to societal stereotypes and the high-risk nature of the job itself, where the fatalities are high due to reckless driving on the road,” she said.”The reflector jackets are expected to improve our visibility, especially during night operations, assuring that we go back home to our kids.”Mukeshimana further reiterated that business assistance of such nature, in a male-dominated space, gives them a shoulder to lean on and encourages
them to push on and fend for their families.Speaking during the handover of the donation, Steven Turyarugayo, the public relations consultant at ITMS, said the donation is part of the company’s broader commitment to road safety awareness and support for vulnerable and hardworking groups within Uganda’s transport sector.. “Mother’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the strength, sacrifice, and contribution of women in society.. These women are not only mothers and caregivers, but also entrepreneurs
who deserve recognition and support,” he said.Steven Turyarugayo of ITMS displaying one of the donated reflector jacketsThe event also served as a platform to encourage more women to participate confidently in economic activities within the transport sector and to promote responsible road use among all motorists.The boda boda business dominates urban transport, especially in Kampala, where it is a source of income generation for especially many young people.. But worringly, it also account for a
significant share of traffic injuries and deaths.. With this in mind, ITMS, through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, partnered with these women boda riders and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusion, safety, and empowerment within the transport industry.ITMS said the Mother’s Day charity initiative aligns with its ‘Safe Kids, Safe Future’ campaign, which seeks to promote road safety awareness with a focus on protecting children and rising road discipline among schools’ across Uganda.______________________________ IN
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