There is only really one way to move around the cities of East Africa and that’s by Boda Boda (Uganda and Kenya) and Moto (Rwanda).
They are not a very safe way to get from A to B but the traffic is so bad that a traditional taxi takes too long. So everyone uses these bikes. There are several apps you can use like SafeBoda to call for drivers who are trained but most are just blokes with a bike.
They will take you anywhere in the city quickly and at risk to your life for less than £1.
Some of them have helmets to offer you but others not. I think many foreigners in these cities have their own helmets. I certainly would.
As you stand by the side of the road or walk along the ‘pavement’ these Boda riders will toot their horn or shout out to you ‘Boda Boda?”.
There is certainly no shortage of them but I hate to think what would happen if you came off one – I don’t fancy a spell in a Ugandan hospital. But what other practical alternatives do you have? I tried to use Uber several times but the cars never turned up – stuck in a jam – and I had to risk life and limb by hopping on the back of a bike and trust my life to a complete stranger.