By Solomon Lubambula
Liberty Insurance, in partnership with Stanbic Bank and SafeBoda, has launched a new product dubbed “Protecta Boda” aimed at improving road safety and increasing insurance penetration in Uganda, which currently stands below 1 percent.
According to Raphael Bisaso, the product—currently under the Sandbox innovation framework—covers three key components in the event of an accident: vehicle damage, driver, and third party. He explained that the policy allows SafeBoda car drivers to insure their vehicles, drivers, and passengers at a rate of 1.5 percent of the car’s total value, with access to approved garages for quick repairs.
At Mulago Hospital, accident-related cases remain a major concern. Dr. Justin Okello, Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit, said the facility admits about 40 patients daily, with nearly 60 percent of the cases involving boda-bodas. He warned that Uganda is “nearing a crisis” in road accidents, adding that victims without insurance face huge treatment costs, sometimes ranging between Shs10–20 million in private facilities.
Liberty General Insurance Managing Director Peter Makhani said the Protecta Boda initiative will not only make insurance more accessible but also promote safer road practices. “With Protecta Boda, we want to extend the safety culture from SafeBoda motorcycles to cars. This partnership ensures safety, sanity on our roads, and fewer accident cases at Mulago,” Makhani said.
Reports indicate that out of Uganda’s 4.5 million vehicles, only a small fraction are insured — exposing millions to financial and life risks.
Sam Mwogeza from Stanbic Bank emphasized that low insurance penetration directly threatens livelihoods. “When we say insurance penetration is less than 1 percent, it means over 99 percent of Ugandans and businesses are vulnerable to disruption. This partnership is about creating an affordable safety net,” he said.
