Jinja City, on Sunday, September 22, 2024, joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Car-Free Day, which is typically marked in major cities across the globe.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E. Frederieke Quispel, served as the chief rider in a gentle cycling race during the festivities. Cyclists participated in a 10-kilometer relaxed ride through the streets of Jinja city center.
The ambassador, who rode a sports bike, was accompanied by several dignitaries from the Dutch Embassy in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, as well as Dutch nationals residing in Jinja, Uganda’s second-largest city.
Several prominent figures from Jinja City Council and the Busoga Kingdom also took part in the event. Among the participants were Mr. Isaac Imaka, Executive Director of the Kyabazinga’s Gabula Royal Foundation, Joan Machora Kitto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Obwa Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga, Jinja Deputy Mayor Fazira Kauma, and City Planner Charles Nampendo.
Residents of Jinja filled the city’s main street (Main Street), which was temporarily closed to motorized traffic, to celebrate the day, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of creating people-centered cities.
They enjoyed a variety of activities, including cricket, miming, dancing, local games like ‘Kasonko,’ and more, such as batting and cycling.
The event also featured a competitive cycling race, where renowned cyclists from different parts of Uganda took part. They rode for 15 rounds around Jinja city center.
Dominic Mugwere, a 35-year-old resident of Jinja, emerged as the winner of the race. He completed the 15 kilometers in 36 minutes. Mugwere received UGX 150,000 as the prize for his victory.
In the children’s cycling race, Jonathan Barasa, aged eight and son of Jinja District (City) Scouts Commissioner, Mr. Mike Barasa, was the champion.
Notably, only Jinja City participated in Car-Free Day celebrations over the weekend, while Uganda’s capital, Kampala, observed the day earlier, on September 7, 2024.
The event was organized by Cycling Out of Poverty (CooP-Uganda) in collaboration with Jinja City Council and other non-profit organizations. The day promotes walking and other non-motorized forms of transportation, especially in areas typically congested and unsafe due to motorized traffic.
According to Marieke De Wild from CooP-Uganda, the initiative aims to allow people to enjoy the roads without the presence of vehicles.
“Cars take up 80 percent of the road space, while the remaining 20 percent is left for pedestrians and cyclists. The significance of today is to let people enjoy their space on the road. We block motorized vehicles to give room to walkers and cyclists,” Marieke told reporters.
“You can see people enjoying the road as if it’s their home. Today, we are giving the road back to the people,” she added.
Isaac Imaka, the Gabula Royal Foundation Executive Director, described the day as a key component of Busoga Kingdom’s efforts to advocate for climate justice in the region. Imaka noted that non-motorized transport helps reduce carbon emissions that would otherwise pollute the environment.
“Today is an important day for our ongoing message to Busoga residents about the need to preserve the environment. Riding a bicycle reminds us that we must ensure a clean and healthy environment in Busoga,” Imaka said.
Following the cycling activities, the Dutch ambassador presided over the screening of a documentary showcasing the evolution of cycling in the Netherlands. She emphasized the importance of embracing cycling in Uganda’s cities.
Article written by Simon Mbago and Bernard Ogot
