The chairman of motorcycle riders (boda boda) in Kampala Frank Mawejje, recently expressed concern about boda bodas being confiscated for lack of driving licenses by their rider. The government has taken note of this concern and has honored the President’s commitment to decreasing driving license expenses, starting with motorcycles. The revised driving permit fees for motorcycles will come into effect on August 1, 2024.
In May 2024, President Yoweri Museveni pledged to address the issue of exorbitant driving license fees. During a graduation ceremony for boda boda leaders in Kampala and Wakiso, Museveni vowed to lower the fees in response to riders’ complaints about the financial strain of obtaining and renewing their licenses.
A statement released on July 31, 2024 by Waiswa Bageya, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, outlined the reduced fees designed to alleviate the financial burden on boda boda riders, especially boda boda operators.
Under the new fee structure, the price of a learner’s driving permit has been decreased from Ugshs 60,000 to Ugshs 40,000. The cost of a one-year driving license has been reduced from Ugshs 135,000 to Ugshs 100,000. A three-year license will now cost Ugshs 130,000, down from Ugshs 230,000, while a five-year license has been reduced from Ugshs 330,000 to Ugshs 250,000.
Renewal fees have also been revised. A one-year license will now be priced at Ugshs 70,000, as opposed to the previous fee of Ugshs 130,000. For a three-year license, the cost is now Ugshs 100,000, down from Ugshs 210,000, and for a five-year license, it is Ugshs 200,000, reduced from Ugshs 310,000. The fee for duplicating a license or extending an expiring one now stands at Ugshs 60,000, down from Ugshs 121,000.
Bageya clarified that these adjusted fees apply solely to the A, A1, and B1 categories. Charges for other vehicle classifications remain unchanged, and standard fees will be applicable when transitioning from these motorcycle licenses to other vehicle categories.
Joselyn Nakitto is a staff writer at SML News Ug with passion in health, business and current affairs. She can be contacted on 0709603158.