Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has sparked debate on social media after revealing that his company operates more than 10,000 boda bodas, prompting Ugandans to question his potential earnings and investment priorities.
Tayebwa reportedly made the revelation while explaining how digital payment systems had improved collections from riders who acquire motorcycles through his business. He said the company previously relied on cash payments, which sometimes allowed riders to delay their instalments.
According to the Deputy Speaker, introducing cashless payments has made it easier to collect money and reduced excuses for delayed payments. His remarks have since drawn attention to the size of his business and the financial opportunities available in Uganda’s motorcycle transport sector.
Tayebwa owns Tayari Rides, a motorcycle financing company based on Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala. The business helps riders acquire motorcycles through instalment payments and also offers mobility solutions, ride-hailing support, logistics and asset financing, including electric motorcycles.
The company reportedly works with Spiro, an electric mobility business that provides electric motorcycles and battery-swapping services. Through the partnership, prospective riders can reportedly begin the process of acquiring an electric motorcycle with an initial payment of Shs150,000, subject to the applicable requirements.
However, the revelation about the scale of the operation has attracted criticism from some social media users. They argue that a senior government official investing heavily in boda bodas raises questions about political leaders’ business interests at a time when Kampala is struggling with traffic congestion and the need for organised public transport.
Some netizens have attempted to estimate the value of the business and how much it could generate daily. One commenter assumed that each motorcycle costs between Shs4 million and Shs5 million, while another estimated that collecting Shs10,000 per motorcycle daily could translate into Shs100 million a day. These figures are speculative, as Tayebwa has not publicly disclosed the company’s actual investment, revenue, operating costs or profits.
The debate comes as the Kampala Capital City Authority continues pursuing reforms to regulate boda boda operations, improve road safety and reduce congestion. Despite the criticism, motorcycles remain an important source of employment and transport for many Ugandans. Tayebwa’s revelation has therefore opened a wider discussion about private investments by political leaders, the financing of motorcycle businesses and the future of public transport in Kampala.
