Okay, so I was cautioned against taking boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) numerous times, by the Hendersons, by Kerrie, by The Surgery, and even by the U.S. State Department. It’s not that I was being defiant, but they REALLY are the easiest way to get around the city!! And they’re cheap. And they’re quick. And a wee bit on the adventurous side.
I had started out the summer just taking random bodas…always during the middle of the day and always to places in which I knew the directions. I learned some interesting lessons from my boda boda experiences.
First, ask them if they have enough petrol to take you to your destination before you get on. Why? Because if they do not, you will have to stop at a fuel station, get off the boda, and wait for it to be fueled (usually only a few thousand shillings at a time). Awkward!
Second, never ride with a driver who is not wearing eye protection! I know that sounds silly, but the last thing you want them doing while driving through the INSANE Kampala traffic is rubbing their eyes because they have road crud in them! I know. I experienced the terror!
Third, be VERY explicit that if they do not drive slowly and carefully, you will NOT PAY THEM! Suzy Livingston gave me this advice, and I was really good about it at first. Then I got comfortable. Then I got into a minor accident on a boda boda. Then I made sure to give that disclaimer at the beginning of every ride!! The accident wasn’t bad…my boda driver swerved to avoid a pothole that could swallow a car, and a boda boda coming the opposite direction also swerved to avoid the same pothole. They swerved into the same path and we hit head-on. It jostled us, scared me to death, and I SMACKED my boda driver on the shoulder and told him to drive carefully!!! Nobody was injured, but I paid a VERY discounted rate for that ride!!
Finally, after two months of taking bodas around the city, I rode with Julius. He hung out at the boda boda stage (waiting area) at Tank Hill and Kironde Road, so he was really close. I had actually ridden with him a couple of times before, and he was always a really careful driver but I kept forgetting to get his cell number. Finally, I took his number and then just called him each time I needed a ride. Since he had dropped me at home, he knew where to pick me up, and he always came right away (I think I paid pretty well…more than I should have probably). Anyway, he always had fuel, always had sunglasses, and he even waited for me to do things like shop and eat. I think he was also really impressed with my two Lugandan phrases I busted out! I was thrilled with his excellent service, so if you’re heading to Kampala (and will be in the Muyenga area) anytime soon, let me know and I’ll pass along his number! =)
