Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the livelihoods of male commercial Boda-Boda motorists in Uganda

We examined the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on the livelihoods of commercial male Boda-Boda motorists in Uganda. The objectives of the study were to (1) characterize social services within the working environment of Boda-Boda motorists and (2) explore the perceived impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on the livelihood of Boda-Boda motorists and their families. The study utilized qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Quantitatively, ArcGIS 10.4 and Global Positioning System were used to determine the distribution and distances to social services. Proximity analyses were carried out using near tool and buffer analysis tool to determine how far the different social services were from the different Boda-Boda stages. Qualitatively, the study collected data from four focus group discussion and four key informants. The study revealed the existence of fairly distributed administrative and social services. However, due to lockdown movement restrictions, Boda-Boda motorists were not allowed to transport passengers, the primary users of such services. This caused Boda-Boda motorists to lose their employment, income, and provisioning role. Boda-Boda motorists suffered economic, psychological, and physical violence from their female partners due to failure to provide for their families. Protective systems, services, policy reform, and awareness to address domestic violence against men are required.