By Jackie Nalubwama
WEEKLY OBSERVER

Asiz Lowot’s life will never be the same again because of Kitoongoete Moroto Youth Bicycle Spares Project. For the 34 year-old, this NUSAF-sponsored project has enabled him build a house, part of which he rents out and lives in the other with his family, and has also enabled him take 2 of his children to school. The third child is too young to go to school.

Thomas Lokwang (middle) NUSAF District technical officer watches the youth of Kitoongoete Moroto youth bicycle spares Project at work

Lowot earns Shs. 4, 000 on some days but on a good day, he earns Shs. 10, 000. When business is good he repairs 5 bicycles a day to earn him that Shs. 10, 000.

There are 11 young men who make up the total membership of this Project, which started in 2005.

Godfrey Lomuria is one of the 11 members of this bicycle repair Project. Being a new member, Lomuria has not yet invested as much as Lowot, but that is not putting him down. Lomuria earns approximately Shs. 2, 000 per day and hopes to one day make it big in the business.

Lowot explained that bicycle repair in Moroto is big business. “What kills bicycles in Moroto are the rough roads so [much so that] they get worn out. And some roads are rocky in nature.”
This group buys bicycle spares from Mbale and stocks it up in a shop in Moroto.

Before NUSAF came to their aid through the Kitoongoete Moroto Youth Bicycle Spares Project, these members used to buy the spares from the market in Moroto. But now the spares are bought from their shop by the customer and as they repair the bicycles, they in turn get paid for their labour.

njackie@ugandaobserver.com