Kampala: Uganda’s roads are being taken over by two-wheelers as motorcycles flood the country in record numbers, outpacing car imports by a wide margin. Fresh figures from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) show that in the 12 months ending June 2024, the country imported a staggering 787,610 vehicles, but more than half of these were motorcycles.

In total, 500,917 motorcycles rolled into Uganda last year, almost twice the number of cars. This represents a 67 percent surge compared to recent years, underscoring how motorcycles have become a vital part of Uganda’s transport system. Cars, while also recording growth of 82 percent to 282,992 units, could not match the dominance of two-wheelers. Tricycles barely registered on the scale, with just 3,701 imported.

The boom is being driven by the ever-expanding boda boda industry, which has become a symbol of everyday life in Uganda. With over 1.5 million motorcycles now in circulation, most used for taxi services, bodas provide quick, affordable, and flexible transport in the country’s crowded towns and cities. For many young Ugandans, they are also a vital source of income.

Yet it isn’t just boda bodas shaping the import story. Heavy-duty vehicles are also pouring into Uganda at an unprecedented pace, reflecting the country’s infrastructure and construction boom. Imports of mixers skyrocketed from just 67 units to nearly 39,000, while semi-trailers leapt from 210 to almost 40,000. Pickups, forklifts, and earth-moving machines also saw dramatic increases, signaling that Uganda is gearing up for large-scale building projects across the country.

The shift towards motorcycles and heavy vehicles paints a picture of a nation on the move — literally. But it also raises questions. The flood of imported vehicles, many of them second-hand, threatens to worsen traffic congestion, pollution, and road accidents. Experts warn that without stricter controls on vehicle age, emissions, and road safety, the boom could turn into a long-term challenge.

For now, however, the numbers tell a clear story: Uganda is fast becoming a country where life and livelihoods are powered on two wheels. Whether for a boda boda rider navigating Kampala’s traffic jams or a construction company fueling a building boom, motorcycles and heavy vehicles are setting the pace for Uganda’s transport and economic future.