By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/ Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: As the world prepares to celebrate International Women’s Day, Umoja Standard News Agency had the opportunity to sit down with Scovia Ahaisibwe, a 26-year-old single lady who has defied odds by becoming a boda boda rider in Kampala City.
Ahaisibwe, who hails from Kyenjojo District, shared her inspiring story of perseverance and determination. After trying her hand at various businesses in Kampala, she found herself struggling to make ends meet due to high expenditures and limited capital. Undeterred, she decided to take a bold step and join the boda boda industry, a field dominated by men.
Ahaisibwe’s decision to become a boda boda rider was inspired by her experience working abroad in challenging conditions. She believed that if she could navigate those difficulties, she could certainly succeed in the boda boda industry. Her passion for work and her optimistic outlook also played a significant role in her decision.
Since starting her boda boda journey in 2024, Ahaisibwe has become a certified Safe Boda driver, with the number 29056, and also works with Glovo. Her boda stage is located at Nkrumah, and she proudly reports that she can now save around 100,000 shillings per week on average.
However, Ahaisibwe’s journey has not been without its challenges. She faced initial resistance from some of her male counterparts, who were skeptical about a woman joining their ranks. Additionally, she has had to deal with issues such as quickly draining motorcycle batteries, which affect her transportation business. As a woman, she has also experienced harassment, although she notes that this has decreased significantly since she started using the Safe Boda app.
Despite these challenges, Ahaisibwe remains committed to her work and is passionate about empowering other women to join the boda boda industry. She advises women to have passion in what they do and to avoid fear, urging them to take the leap and pursue their goals.
Ahaisibwe’s story is an affirmation to the power of determination and hard work. As she looks to the future, she hopes to one day own her own motorcycle, which would enable her to increase her earnings and achieve greater financial stability. Her dream is to acquire a motorcycle at a discounted price, and she appeals to organizations and individuals to support her and her fellow female boda boda riders in achieving this goal.
As of now, Ahaisibwe continues to work hard, inspired by her passion for her work and as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Ahaisibwe’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of promoting gender equality and empowering women to pursue their dreams, no matter how challenging they may seem.