From Boda Boda Rider to Apartment Owner: My Journey in Kampala

My name is Samuel, and I grew up in Masaka, Uganda. For over a decade, I made a living as a boda boda rider in Kampala. I began with a borrowed motorcycle, waking up as early as 5 AM and riding until 10 at night. Life was tough. I barely earned enough to buy food and pay rent for a tiny room in Kireka. On rainy days, I sometimes went to bed hungry because I couldn’t work. I watched others progress—buying land, starting businesses—while I felt stuck in the same place.

Each new year, I would tell myself, “This will be my year,” but things only got harder. My motorbike constantly needed repairs, and I was always drowning in debt. I tried soft loans, joined savings groups, and even sold secondhand clothes on the weekends. But nothing seemed to change. I started to wonder if I was cursed or just unlucky. It was a painful thought, but I was exhausted from the constant struggle. To Read More, Tap Here