The initiative was spearheaded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (MTIC) and is aimed at improving mobility, supervision, and efficiency in monitoring government programs at the district, municipal, and city levels.
The motorcycles, which were manufactured locally by Simba Automotives, were officially handed over on Friday, 29th August 2025.
The event was presided over by the State Minister for Cooperatives, Fredrick Gume Ngobi, who underlined the importance of responsibility and accountability in managing the new resources.
“Commercial officers must use these motorcycles to provide adequate services and effectively monitor the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, cooperatives, and other government programs. They should not end up in drinking places or with unauthorized riders,” Gume cautioned.
The distribution comes at a time when government has significantly raised the budget for commercial services.
Funding has grown from UGX 2.2 billion in 2020 to UGX 8.87 billion in the current financial year, reflecting the state’s commitment to strengthen commercial structures at local government level.
Each district and city will now receive UGX 40 million annually, with seven percent of these funds ring-fenced for motorcycle maintenance to ensure sustainability.
According to Minister Gume, every district and city will benefit from at least one motorcycle.
He explained that the allocation is intended to support cooperative mobilization, market intelligence, and business extension services within communities.
The Minister also praised Simba Automotives for playing a crucial role in advancing Uganda’s industrialization agenda by assembling motorcycles locally.
Commercial officers on the ground welcomed the intervention, describing it as a timely boost to their work.
Joseph Ssemakula, the Commercial Officer for Mityana Municipality, expressed gratitude for the government’s support.
“We appreciate government and MTIC for this support which will ease our mobility and enhance our visibility in our local governments,” he said.
Atama Gabriel, the Chief Administrative Officer of Tororo District and Chairperson of the Chief Administrative Officers of Uganda, also commended the development.
“We appreciate government and the Ministry of Trade for easing the mobility of our commercial officers. We pray that moving forward the Heads of Commercial Divisions will be provided with vehicles,” he added.
The motorcycles are expected to increase officers’ capacity to reach communities, ensure closer monitoring of government development programs, and strengthen commercial services delivery across Uganda.
