While Uber has so far not cracked a sounding impact for its boda-hailing wing, the brand has maintained its position as the best taxi-hailing service, and it’s to this that its trip rates are now up by 20%

Uber X which refers to the regular Uber taxi cabs now has a rise in Per Kilometer and Per Minute fares only, to motivate drivers who in-return increase their availability times to take on more Uber trips.

Well, aside from the recent changes made by Uber that were dominated by a 13% rise in October last year. Uber has this time round limited its alteration to the Kilometer and Per Minute tier to tip drivers during heavy-traffic hours. Nonetheless, below are the new trip rates

Since making great strides in Africa, one that has remained constant with Uber is its Riders. Driver-partners all over the African continent attest to the fact that they interact with a diverse and unique range of Riders on a daily basis – which makes their time on the app even more interesting!

Each Rider brings their own unique identity and flavour – whether it’s the ones who ride shotgun striking up friendly banter with the driver-partner, or the ones who prefer the backseat to catch up on work, or even the ones who like the radio on… really loud,each one of them continues to contribute to Uber’s exciting journey.

Here are 10 types of Riders you’ll meet on an Uber trip – which of them are you?

The Navigator Pro

This Rider gives maps a run for their money, and is probably one of the driver-partner favourite type of Riders. This Rider knows alternative routes like the back of their hand and is a gem for when the main roads are backed up. With their insights on back-roads and shorter routes, you’ll zip past the traffic and still make that Monday meeting in Kampala. While driver-partners do have GPS, it’s always appreciated when a rider can provide an uncharted route that is both quick and effective.

The Human Wikipedia  

Some Riders prefer sitting in the front with the driver-partners, and these types usually strike up conversations about really interesting things. Like the best place to traditional cuisine in Kampala, or where to get really affordable mechanics in Kira town. This Rider is a treasure-trove of local information and makes sure that the trip is full of laughs and extremely useful information. Did someone say 5-stars?

The Auxcellent Rider

For some Riders, music defines the trip, and a great track, irrespective of the distance, will make it memorable. Whether it’s jamming to Mummy yo by Sheebah Karungi or Mbakooye by Eddy Kenzo this type of Rider wants to be in charge of the music on their trip and they often request for an aux cable. The music is usually so good that the driver-partner gets put in the mood for the weekend, whether it’s the weekend or not.

The Enterprise Mogul

For some Riders, Uber is a great way to support their business. Whether it means adding additional 3-minute stops to make quick deliveries to customers, or using the same feature to touch base with existing and prospective customers, this Rider is getting the best business support by riding on Uber. Cha-ching!

The Strong Silent Type

Some Riders get into an Uber and prefers to just spend time alone with their thoughts, without necessarily engaging in conversations. No radio, no ear plugs, no devices. These types of Riders, it seems, utilize their trips as a means to reboot and get their energy levels up – no there aren’t rude or brusque – they are just the strong silent type.

The life of the party

The club scene in Uganda has a life of its own, With a wide variety of clubs to choose from for a fun night out this rider is on the lookout for some fun and nothing will stop them. This rider is slaying from their outfit, makeup and hairstyle. This rider is most probably heading to either Nyondo club or Don’s club and is ready to paint the town red.

Front-seat rider

The citizens of Uganda are known for their friendliness, and many driver-partners reported that this was the most common rider. These type of riders are often overflowing with conversation, eager to get to know the driver-partner and also share in some experiences. Talking always eases the trip and makes it go quicker. It doesn’t hurt that being friendly and courteous to each other also improves ratings. Uber has recently challenged riders to take the #Frontseatchallenge where they encourage riders to get to know their drivers a little better – why not get involved?

The Back-seat business pro

Smart suit, snazzy shoes, catching up on emails or phone calls in the back seat while heading to a conference or a meeting –  sounds familiar? This rider is often so preoccupied with work- clicking away on the computer or tapping away on a device – that the driver-partner knows that they need all the quiet time they can get. Sometimes this Rider will also share great business insights that the driver-partners find useful – like the latest technology inventions, or investment information.

The Social Prefect

This type of Rider is similar to the life of the party – just that their social lifestyle is a lot more diverse. Singles fellowship on Sunday, book launches on Monday, Poetry readings on Tuesday, business dinners on Thursdays, club-hopping with friends on Fridays – for this Rider, Uber is the perfect accompaniment for their social and very busy lifestyle.

Oprah on Trip

Are you the warm, kind-hearted rider whose positive outlook on life will inspire everyone you come into contact with? From their many stories of struggle and triumph, these riders will provide you with your daily dose of motivational Monday. These riders sometimes even invite you to their church. Talk about food for the soul – anyone say amen?

With so many trips taking place every day, drivers and riders can always look forward to connecting with interesting riders and we are so excited to be a part of it!

Since launching the app, Uber has provided millions of people with technology that allows them to get a ride at the push of a button, track every trip with GPS technology and report any issues 24/7 with a dedicated safety team. With the introduction of new safety features, the company aims to double down on safety and help make the Uber community safer.

Features to be introduced as part of the new rider and driver safety toolkit

• Driver/Delivery Partner Emergency button – With the push of a button in the app, drivers and delivery-partners can connect directly to private security response when needed through a third party supplier
• Speed alerts – A feature which reminds drivers and delivery-partners to maintain a safe speed within the posted speed limits.
• Trusted Contacts – Riders can now easily designate five friends or family members as “trusted contacts” and, with a single tap, share their trip information which are easily customisable in their trip sharing preferences.
• Safety Centre – A new app-housed safety information hub where riders can find information on some of the key existing safety tools in the app, including our 24/7 team, information on the driver and the car, trip GPS-tracking and our rating and feedback system.

  

“With more than 15 million trips on the Uber app every day, there is nothing more important than the safety of riders, drivers and couriers. Over the last year we’ve been working to develop innovative products that increase transparency, accountability and peace of mind for all users. The rollout of our new Safety Toolkit features across Europe, Middle East and Africa is the next step in making sure that we’re helping everyone stay safe and connected, wherever you might be,” says Sachin Kansal, Uber’s Global Head of Safety Product.

Although Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has made safety a top priority for 2018 from the time he was unveiled as the new head contorller. The number of changes made to the app, all the way from the ultimate Uber Air experience in Kampala to protection for drivers, delivery-partners, riders are inline with the future of ride hailing services worldwide. In addition, driver hour limits help prevent drowsy driving, as the Driver Share My Trip is more like Taxify ‘s ETA option.

The Uber Air experience for lucky trip winners

The one day only on-demand stunt saw the lucky winners switching on their Uber app from 10am-12pm, tapping on the UberAIR banner at the bottom of their screens, followed by entering their pick-up point and confirming their UberAIR request in order to be selected as a winner.

The chosen riders were then picked up at their location by an Uber driver and taken to Kajjansi landing site where they boarded their UberAIR flight to Jinja with well-known influencers, such as the popular media personality, radio and TV host, Charlie Denzel Mwiyeretsi.

“We are thrilled to be sharing this on-demand with riders in Kampala, Uber is constantly evolving and looking for innovative methods of giving our riders memories that they will treasure for years to come,” said Loic Amado, General Manager for East Africa.

In the last few years, Uber has redefined the way people move from A-to-B and goes beyond the usual marketing activations to bring unique campaigns to riders at a touch of a button. It’s all about ‘fastest fingers first’, ensuring that the quickest riders qualify for whatever is on-demand!

Good news for Uber riders means bad news for the competitors like Safeboda and Taxify who currently rule the game with their orange helmets and Green branded ones around Kampala respectively. Dial Jack which is the new kid on the block also launched recently which shows more competition to Uber that has decided to call June and the beginning of July a total free month with completely free rides.

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How to redeem and take free rides with Uber Boda

To wear your black helmet with that green reflector worn by an Uber driver on a motorbike will not require you to sell a Kidney. But simply request an Uber boda to your destination and Uber will take care of the trip costs without you having to pay any single coin. If a driver insists to receive money from you, simply contact the Uber Uganda customer care lines to receive your cashback and a caution to the driver.

To request an Uber Boda, simply go to the android playstore or Apple store and download the Uber app. After download, signup or Login to your account then enter your destination for a choice between Uber taxi or Uber boda for your trip.

A few weeks back, Uber launched a Boda hailing option which took the country by storm hitting on the already existing providers. Taxify Boda leading the race to take down Safeboda.

Uber’s reply to the competition finally landed in a no notification zone. Since Mondo Boda has always been on the rise as taxify Boda teases the bigger piece of competing favorably. Uber boda is that one piece that is shaking Safeboda down.

Interacting with a few drivers here and there. We landed on a former safeboda driver who was expelled for appearing near The square based Uber offices. Keeping the cool, Safeboda is scared of the competition imposed on it by the ever rising Boda hailing services present in Uganda.

So its more like a dream come true for Uber’s perpentual operations to dominate the ride hailing industry in Uganda. Keeping in the line, What do you think of the current transport industry with Taxify, Uber, Mondo and Safeboda on the line. Leave us a comment below.

Uber boda now joins the competitive market including Taxify Boda, Mondo boda and the pioneer Safe Boda. Keeping things in the right way, Uber Boda poses a new effective design and easy pickup process. Not forgetting that Safeboda altered its services with a fresh new design and town offices. Uber Boda jumps in with a big bang to the Boda Boda business.

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Golola Moses of Uganda as Uber’s new brand ambassador

Uber Boda has not only launched with a tricky phase of operations. Golola Moses the popular kickboxer has been recruited as the fresh new brand ambassador to represent Uber boda. No worries, the kickboxer won’t kick you from your Uber boda ride.

What do you think of Uber’s Boda option launch

Since Uber Uganda staged its launch this afternoon at the Square. We expect the popular taxi-hailing service to take over by storm since Taxify,Mondo and Safeboda are already in the business. But with its popularity in Uganda, the market won’t be tricky for the brand we all know.

Although Uber Boda is here. It means in Uganda alone we have so far 4 Boda boda hailing options including Taxify Boda, Safe Boda, Uber boda and Mondo Boda. So which is the best option to consider? Otherwise, what do you think about Uber Boda.

While Uber was warmly welcomed to Uganda with Open arms in 2016. Safe Boda, on the other hand, was launched in early 2014. Nevertheless, Uber has for long dominated the Taxi hailing business with its popular slogan “Yita Uber” implying in case you are stuck, simply launch your Uber app.

However with Traffic Jam being the biggest challenge to the transport sector even with apps such as Traffica in existence. Uber is clearly redefining its customer reviews into new affordable services added to the app. While Uber introduced new app modifications to further equip riders with better trip related services such as the Chat with driver option.

What is Uber Boda

While you encountered a few Kampala Boda riders hooked up with unique Orange reflectors and helmets moving around town with Riders full equipped with similar helmets labeled with Safe Boda.

Uber’s focus on the Motorcycles ride-hailing business is critically different, since borrowing a leaf from its Asian version of “Uber Moto” it generally uses scooters as the official ride-hailing means. However, would riders in Uganda buy the idea of requesting for a Scooter ride? Nevertheless Uber is opting to simply use Jackets instead of reflectors for its drivers.

As much as Uber charges you more while in Traffic Jam. The new Uber Boda service will surely become a direct competitor to Uber’s own car ride-hailing service since many riders are willing to pay less for more.

While Uber has not yet confirmed the service launch dates, Uber Boda will no only mimick Safe Boda to revise its trip rates but rather made ride-hailing services the future of Uganda’s transport sector meaning Riders will have to forget where ordinary commuter Taxis operate from.

In a closed door press meet up at Kampala Serena hotel Uber also briefed the general public about the new features and rates which favor all riders together with earning more credits for the drivers. They are over 48000 riders in Kampala and Entebbe alone whereas they are millions of riders in Kenya and Tanzania where Uber started out before expanding to more countries with plans to launch in Rwanda.

The future of self driving cars is a come to life innovation which started out in San Francisco when Uber decided to test the KIA cars if they would suitabely carryout trips effectively with no guidance,during this time technology embedded in Uber’s self driven cars was revealed as in the YouTube video

Various car manufacturing companies promised to support Uber in improving the world’s transport sector and reducing the number of cars on roads to 90%,with plans to launch these futuristic cars in Africa,many people wont have to wait for normal commuter taxis but rather switch to their phone and request for a ride at their own comfort.Furthermore Uber is planning to license the future driven vehicles planned to launch in East Africa in the near years for better transport.