Here in Uganda, everything is transported by motorbike (Borda-Borda), and everything means everything. It slightly worrying and also incredible funny at the same time. This week I had to help someone put a goat onto the back of a motorbike (yes the goat was alive, and no they don’t have very high animal welfare standards here). I also saw a bunny rabbit being carried by its ears, but that’s a different story.
Everyday as you travel along Jinja road toward the office I see motorbikes carrying all sorts of things. Most common is of course people, it’s one of the quickest, most dangerous and fun ways of travelling around. Up to five people can travel on a motorbike, yes five people is the record I’ve seen – but most of them were children or babies. More common is one or two people riding on the back with a driver.
Mattresses is another thing I’ve seen, about six of them piles one on top of the other. Attached the back of a bike, whizzing down the street. Bed frames, and these aren’t flat pack, they are fully assembled. Suitcases, chickens, water carriers, you name it, I’m sure they could find a way to carry it.
I couldn’t be left out of the fun, the most interesting thing I’ve carried is a guitar (in its case)! Slightly awkward, but not that much different to riding with another person in front of you. Fitting it on the taxi on the other hand, was allot harder!
