Gov't supports Union Uganda’s zuukuka ‘Make the smart move’ air pollution free city campaign

By Darlington Mabonga

The government in conjunction with Union Uganda has launched the Zuukuka ‘Make the mart move’ campaign aimed at fast tracking the utilization of electric motorcycles as a deliberate strategy to combat the growing threat of poor air quality across the country.

As a result, Union Uganda has put on the market 50,000 new Spiro electric motorcycles for sale at friendly and affordable loans schemes targeting the boda boda industry with the aim of contributing to the replacement of the fuel bikes responsible for polluting the air quality.

A team of 150 selected and trained boda boda champions have been flagged off to participate in a four month campaign [February-June 2026] of sensitizing the public on the negative impact of the poor air quality in the city with a view to reduce negative health implications as well as embracing the usage of their cost effective and reliable electric bikes.

The colorful launch and flag off ceremony held 26th February 2026 at the Lugogo UMA multipurpose hall has been presided over by the state minister for Kampala Metropolitan affairs kyofatogabye Kabuye.

He told the over 600 boda boda riders and Association leaders that the campaign supports the government policy of sensitizing the masses about the dangers caused by pollution from petrol powered motorcycles and the deliberate need to phase them off the national road Network..

  Kabuye thanked the leadership of Union Uganda led by Fred Senoga for coming up with this strategic campaign saying it is in line with the government policy of phasing out fuel consuming automobiles including boda bodas, taxis and in the long run buses respectively.

He said the government spends over UGX150bn annually in both the treatment of respiratory related diseases caused by automobiles emissions which pollutes the air resulting in serious health conditions and accidents from boda boda.

"As your line minister, I am humbled to welcome Union Uganda with its partners in business for this campaign and we are determined to ensure that fuel powered automobiles are phased out gradually replacing them with electric ones’ he observed.

He observed that his ministry together with other government MDAs alongside transport bodies and Associations and the travelling public should work together in ensuring that the city regains its clean air status for its population.

The Union Uganda National chairman Fred Senoga said they are determined to work with all stakeholders in order to ensure that the transport sector moves from fuel to electric machines such that Uganda's capital city is selected as the cleanest air free by the United nations's clean air city campaign come June 2026.

The Spiro Uganda deputy country director Bruce Mucunguzi said he was supportive of the campaign urging all stakeholders to join them in ensuring that the city regains its clean air status which has been displaced by the hundreds of thousands of automobiles among them boda boda which must be phased out as new technology evolves.