Boda bodas: The new form of adventure tourist transportation in Uganda

Abstract

Abstract Tourist transportation at local destinations has transformed, with the use of motorcycles (Boda-bodas) becoming popular, especially for adventurous tourists. In Uganda, motorcycle taxis, also known as Boda-bodas are now popular as both a mode of tourist mobility and a tourist product. This paper makes one of the first attempts to integrate the Ugandan Boda-boda tourist transport into the global tourism academic debate. Results show a surge in the number of private operators who are providing affordable and flexible transport services to both locals and tourists. As such, more Boda-boda riders are joining government licensed associations/orgamisations for authentication. Despite its growing popularity, Boda-boda transport is still associated with challenges of road accidents and loss of clients’ property mainly due to poor enforcement and observance of road traffic and safety regulations coupled with the current poor state of the roads. Going forward, there is an urgent need to institutionalize Boda-boda tourist transport to ensure safety and security of tourists and their property as well as other road users.