Government Procures Motorcycles for District Commercial Officers to Boost Grassroots Service Delivery

In a move aimed at strengthening commercial service delivery at the grassroots, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, has procured 141 motorcycles for District Commercial Officers (DCOs) across the country. The motorcycles, supplied by Simba Automotives Ltd, are intended to ease the mobility of officers as they traverse communities to mobilize citizens into commercial activities and enhance participation in government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.

The procurement aligns with the Budget Strategy for the Financial Year 2024/25, which emphasized the effective implementation of the Parish Development Model. For this to succeed, government recognized the need to adequately facilitate frontline service providers, particularly commercial officers at the district and city levels, who play a pivotal role in community mobilization, data collection, and implementation of various livelihood programs.

The initiative builds on the District Commercial Services Support Project, established in 2012 to enhance the delivery of commercial services through capacity building and retooling of local government offices. By equipping DCOs with reliable motorcycles, government expects to bridge gaps in service delivery and enable officers to reach even the most remote areas.

Hon. Fredrick Ngobi Gume, Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Cooperatives), while flagging off the motorcycles, said the investment will directly support the success of government’s flagship socio-economic programs.

“The motorcycles are meant to support commercial officers in their day-to-day duties of mobilizing communities for government programs such as PDM and Emyooga. Each district will set aside 7% of its funding for maintenance of the motorcycles, including spares, tyres, and servicing,” he stated.

He further cautioned the officers against misuse of the government assets, stressing that the motorcycles must not be used for personal errands or reckless activities such as drink-driving. Instead, he urged them to use the facilities for collecting critical data on government interventions, which will enable better assessment and improvement of ongoing programs.

Simba Automotives’ Role in Uganda’s Growth

The motorcycles were supplied by Simba Automotives Ltd, a company that has steadily built its footprint in Uganda’s automobile sector over the past decade.

Mr. Chitwan Dogra, Chief Executive Officer of Simba Automotives Ltd, expressed pride in partnering with the Ugandan government to enhance service delivery, noting that the company’s operations have contributed to both economic growth and job creation across the region.

“Simba Automotives has made a mark in the automobile industry for over 10 years, dealing in motorbikes, tricycles, sports bikes, spare parts, and accessories. Our entry into Uganda has not only fostered economic growth but also created employment opportunities across Uganda and East Africa,” Mr. Dogra noted.

Unlocking Grassroots Development 

The distribution of motorcycles comes at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to boost household incomes and promote inclusive development. With mobility challenges previously hindering commercial officers from reaching rural communities, the new motorcycles are expected to significantly enhance efficiency, supervision, and data collection.

By bridging the last-mile gap, government hopes to accelerate the pace of PDM and Emyooga implementation, ensuring that communities are not only sensitized but also actively engaged in programs that foster economic transformation.