By Ambrose Okwanga I May 14th, 2026
Lira City Council has issued a five-day ultimatum starting May 13th, 2026 to boda boda riders in the city to pay the controversial Ugx 35,000 registration fee or risk enforcement action against those operating illegally.
Speaking during a press briefing at the city council headquarters, council spokesperson Robert Okello Ayo said the registration exercise is legal and intended to streamline boda boda operations within the city.
He noted that some riders have been resisting the process despite efforts by the council to organize and identify all boda boda operators and stages in Lira City.
Okello Ayo explained that the council plans to establish and regulate all boda boda stages, something he said cannot be effectively implemented unless every rider is registered and documented by the authorities.
He further revealed that the city council contracted boda boda SACCO leaders to oversee the collection of the fees.
According to the arrangement, Shs13,000 from every rider’s payment will support the establishment and management of boda boda stages across the city.
Nelson Okello, the Lira City principal revenue officer dismissed allegations that unknown individuals were extorting money from riders, saying the exercise is officially sanctioned by the council and implemented through recognized boda boda SACCO structures.
Okello said the decision to introduce the fee followed meetings between city leaders and boda boda stage representatives.
“the registration exercise is also aimed at improving security, easing identification of riders, and combating criminal activities linked to boda boda transport operations” Okello added.
According to Okello, the projected revenue from the registration exercise has already been incorporated into the 2026/2027 city budget, with the council targeting more than Ugx 100 million from boda boda-related collections.
Meanwhile, Lira City West Division boda boda leader, Juma Owera defended the exercise, saying riders are now receiving official receipts bearing their names as proof that the money is being collected directly by the city council.
Owera warned riders against refusing to comply, stressing that boda boda leaders had already agreed with city authorities on the timeline for registration.
The ultimatum comes amid growing tension between boda boda riders and city authorities, with some operators recently threatening to strike over what they described as an illegal and exploitative levy. Riders have also accused enforcement officers of impounding motorcycles without adequate sensitization.