A group of young innovators from Rubaga Division in Kampala have developed a cutting-edge security solution known as the “Smart Boda” to combat the rising cases of bodaboda theft in Uganda. The innovation, developed under the social innovation programme UPSHIFT, integrates biometric and GPS technologies to track and secure motorcycles.
The team—comprising Bismarck Kalisa, Tumuhimbise Karinkiza, Namukwe Darren, and Emmanuel Mwesigye—are the brains behind Digtron Boost Technologies Uganda. Their idea was born out of firsthand experience with the growing theft problem in Kampala.
“I was working with bodaboda riders at Miracle Centre Church, helping with parking and registration, when I realized how many riders were reporting their motorcycles stolen,” said Bismarck Kalisa, the team lead. “I teamed up with fellow students from Central St. Lawrence University to build a solution that could also create jobs for the youth.”
The team’s innovation journey began in August 2023 and, over the next eight months, they developed a prototype combining fingerprint security and GPS tracking. Their project gained momentum after being introduced to Wezesha Impact, a Rubaga-based youth skilling organization that provided support and training. Through Wezesha, they joined the UPSHIFT innovation bootcamp and won seed funding of $100 (about UGX 375,000), followed by an additional $2,500 for advancing their idea.
“This isn’t just an app; it’s a complete security system. Once installed on a motorcycle, it transforms it into a smart bike that’s difficult to steal or tamper with,” explained Douglas Ssimbwa, the team’s software developer.
Their innovation aligns with the broader goals of the UPSHIFT Programme, a youth-focused social innovation initiative co-piloted in Uganda by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF. UPSHIFT is designed to equip young people—especially those in vulnerable settings such as refugee and host communities—with transferable skills, entrepreneurship knowledge, and funding to develop community-based solutions.
UPSHIFT combines mentorship, seed funding, and design thinking to empower youth. In Uganda, the programme began with a pilot in 2021 and continues to scale in various districts, including those with refugee settlements. The ILO reports that over 240 youths are targeted in each UPSHIFT cycle, which runs for three months. Youth form teams, identify local challenges, and create solutions. By the end of each cycle, 48 innovations are expected, with 36 groups receiving $100 each in seed capital.
In addition, UPSHIFT hosts a Youth Innovation Summit where 50 youth showcase their projects. The top 10 innovations each receive $5,000 to further develop their ideas, create jobs, and offer mentorship to peers.
According to the ILO, this approach not only addresses community needs but also stimulates digital innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly among young women, refugees, and persons with disabilities.
For Kalisa and his team, the journey is far from over. “We’re not just stopping at Smart Boda—we believe youth can solve Uganda’s toughest challenges through innovation,” he said.