Meet Kuwulira, Uganda’s 78‑Year‑Old Boda Boda Rider: Defying Age, Poverty, and Expectations
Kaliro District, Uganda – September 5, 2025 – In a world where aging often signals retreat from life’s rigors, Regina Kuwulira emerges in bold defiance of expectation. At 78 years old, she pedals through hardship, serving her community with the steadfast urgency of youth.
Clad in a traditional gomesi with shorts beneath—“People come to you only when you’re smart and clean,” she quips—Kuwulira manœuvres her bicycle taxi along the dusty roads of Wempere Village, Bumanya Sub‑county.
Kuwulira balances sacrifice with dignity. She recalls transporting flour in her youth and remembers how her father allowed her to ride — an unconventional freedom at the time. Her work ethic was part of what forged her marriage—a chance roadside meeting turned to love when a passenger dropped a note. They had 15 children, but tragedy struck over time: 14 died, leaving just one son, now an alcoholic who threatens her safety.
Despite her own frailty—aching legs, a weary waist—she still answers midnight calls to take patients to Bumanya Health Centre IV. “I think God gave me a man’s heart,” she says.
Her community sees more than physical endurance. Dorah Kisakye, a neighbor, notes, “I have seen her riding that bicycle for over 20 years.” Locals plead for help: “Gift her a motorcycle or build her a permanent home,” urges Bernard Okonya, citing her resilience in maintaining even a grass-thatched hut amid rising costs.
Adding to her burden, Kuwulira and her mother—despite their age—have never received government stipends intended for older individuals, nor access to Parish Development Model (PDM) funds. When she sought support, she and her mother were turned away: “Who instructed you to come to the centre?” officials asked dismissively.
Yet, even as the years stack up and her body protests, Kuwulira pedals onward. Every journey is testament to a life lived in unconditional service. Her story — etched in sweat, loss, and unwavering resolve — challenges us to redefine strength not as escape, but as the grace to endure.
