Kibale Town Council in Pallisa District was Saturday transformed into a scene of celebration as more than 300 boda boda riders received new pairs of motorcycle tyres donated by their area Member of Parliament, Hon. Okwii Constantine.
The distribution, held at the legislator’s upcountry home, attracted enthusiastic riders who welcomed the donation as a timely intervention, particularly amid rising tyre prices and difficult road conditions during the rainy season.
For many operators who have been navigating muddy and slippery murram roads on worn-out tyres, the donation is expected to improve motorcycle safety while easing the financial burden of maintenance.
Okwii said the initiative was inspired by observations he made during the 2026 general election campaigns, when he noticed that many boda boda operators were using worn-out tyres, exposing themselves and their passengers to road accidents.
“I saw most cyclists with old tyres which had led to numerous accidents, especially in this rainy period. It is not the obligation of a Member of Parliament to provide people with such items, even buying ambulances, but it comes out of one’s heart,” Okwii said.
He explained that the beneficiaries were drawn from approximately 300 motorcycle operators he had registered across Kibale County, particularly those who embraced his campaign message of collective responsibility and working together.
“During the campaigns, I was informing the riders that let us work together so that we can live together. The cyclists who have received the motorcycle tyres today are those who come from Kibale County and received that message,” he said.
The MP emphasised that the tyre donation was financed from his personal resources, adding that he was pursuing other development interventions for the constituency through engagement with government institutions.
He revealed that he was lobbying the Ministry of Health to provide Kibale with an ambulance equipped with a fuel card, while the District Service Commission, through the Chief Administrative Officer’s office, would facilitate the recruitment of a driver.
Okwii also cited his engagement with the Office of the Prime Minister, through the Minister of State for Teso Affairs, Dr. Ongalo Obote Kenneth, which facilitated the delivery of iron sheets to churches in Kibale.
Denis Arikod, Chairperson of Agule Boda Boda Stage in Pallisa Town, described the donation as a significant economic relief to motorcycle operators, particularly at a time when the cost of tyres has increased due to rising fuel prices.
Mugaria Innocent, the Kibale Sub-county District Councillor, said a pair of motorcycle tyres currently costs about Shs200,000, with the rear tyre retailing at Shs120,000 and the front one at Shs80,000.
He urged beneficiaries not to underestimate the value of the intervention, saying it would also encourage operators to exercise greater responsibility towards their passengers.
Mugaria argued that the MP’s contribution to motorcycle maintenance could encourage riders to be more considerate of passengers and appreciate the importance of safe transport.
The beneficiaries described the donation as unprecedented in Pallisa’s political landscape, praising the MP for remembering them after the elections. Some pledged continued support for his political leadership, saying the gesture demonstrated the importance of translating campaign commitments into tangible interventions.
However, amid the celebrations, Pallisa District Officer in Charge of Traffic, Cheptti Immaculate, cautioned riders against assuming that new tyres alone guaranteed road safety.
She urged operators to combine proper motorcycle maintenance with discipline, responsible riding and strict adherence to traffic regulations.
Cheptti also revealed that her office had intensified routine traffic patrols to identify and apprehend operators violating road safety regulations, particularly those riding without helmets and other protective equipment.
“Offenders will face arrest. Comply voluntarily rather than wait to be intercepted,” she warned.
She encouraged riders to conduct regular motorcycle inspections and ensure that their vehicles meet the required safety standards.
The donation has once again drawn attention to the welfare of boda boda operators, whose services remain central to passenger transport, community connectivity and rural economic activity in Pallisa District.
Beyond the immediate financial relief, the initiative has also highlighted the importance of balancing support for motorcycle operators with efforts to promote responsible riding and road safety.