Riding boda boda has become Angela Atim’s lifeline

The stereotypes in Africa tend to define much of our lives but not for Angela Rose Atim, the only female boda boda rider in Moroto Municipality and perhaps in the entire Karamoja sub-region.
African culture had for long confined women to domestic work, however, such chains have been broken and women today have become more daring than ever.

While growing up, Atim faced a lot of challenges before moving from Katakwi District, her home to Moroto where she hoped to complete a course in vocational education.
However, she never realised her dream as she dropped out of school before joining the world of petty trade.

“When I reached Moroto, I enrolled into Moroto Polytechnic School in Napak District but I dropped out after my aunt refused to pay my school fees,” the 22-year-old, says, narrating a life of struggle that would later push her into selling tomatoes and other vegetables.
“A friend introduced me to selling tomatoes and sukumawiki but I was not making ends meet,” she says, highlighting the start of a journey into the boda boda business.

“Selling tomatoes was a crowded business yet there were very few customers. That is when I developed the idea to start riding a boda boda,” she says.
Atim, who has been in the business for at least five months now, hires a motorcycle for which she pays Shs15,000 to the owner every day.

On a good day, she says, she makes an average of Shs40,000 part of which she uses to fuel and service the motorcycle as well as buy household items.
On average, Atim saves Shs10,000 money she hopes to use to buy her own boda boda in the near future.

Simon Korobe, the chairperson of Moroto District Boda boda Association, could not believe that Atim would even survive for a week in the boda boda business.

“She told me she wanted to join our trade (boda boda). At first I thought she was joking. But she was serious. I never discouraged her but reminded her of the challenges that she would have to go through,” he says. Working with Atim, according to Korobe, has been an experience that has taught him key lessons, especially in regard to the determination with which she does her work.

“She could be the only female boda boda rider not only in Karamoja but in places as far as Bugisu, Sebei, Karamoja and Teso. I have been to those places but I have never seen a female boda boda rider,” he says.
Atim was orphaned at a young age. She attended Kokorio Primary School before moving to Katakwi Technical School to study tailoring. However, she could not complete the course due to lack of school fees.

Challenges
Ridding a boda boda has not come without challenges as Atim continues to face stereotypes, especially in regard to handling passengers who do not trust her abilities.
“Some passengers openly tell me that I cannot transport them. They do not believe that I have the ability to ride a motorcycle,” she says.
For instance, John Lokol an elder in Moroto Town, finds it difficult to believe that Atim is a boda boda rider. “In our tradition [Karimojong] women cannot appear to be competing with men. Move across the whole region, you will not find any girl riding a boda boda. It is a shame,” he says.
Although many do not approve of Atim riding a boda boda, many customers like her for being a careful rider, which could explain why she earns better than other boda boda riders.
Whereas she earns about Shs40,000 every day other operators earn slightly above or below Shs30,000.

What others say
“I believe she is the only female boda boda rider in the Karamoja sub-region. It is a tough choice she took. This boda boda business is not easy at all. The good thing she likes the job and she has found a way to handle her customers and fellow boda boda riders.”
Simon Korobe, chairperson Moroto District Boda boda Association

“I like the way she has challenged other girls in the municipality [Moroto]. I am sure others will soon follow. Instead of waiting to get money from men and prostitution as many other women do, she decided to make a difference by earning through her sweat.”
Felix Neli, Moroto Municipality planner

Starting the day
Atim starts her day at around 7am, picking passengers from roadsides as she heads to Moroto Town where she joins other riders.
The 22-year old leaves the stage at around 6pm to prepare for the next day. However, she sometimes has to push up to around 7.30 pm, especially when she has passengers.