Meet Mark ‘McKenzie’ Maiga; who has taken 3,100 SafeBoda rides and counting
At the mark of 7 years of existence, it is obvious that hundreds of thousands of customers have at least taken a SafeBoda ride. But could you be one of the customers that have been with the brand since you the day you downloaded the app?
Mark ‘McKenzie’ Maiga — a communications and marketing specialist at Abja Estates — has been part of the journey since June 2017 and has taken over 3,100 trips to-date! We caught up with Mark at the SafeBoda Payments Service launch event in March 2022 and this is his story.
When did you start using the SafeBoda app & what prompted you to use it?
I started using Safeboda in 2017 when the company was just starting out. Since I was a person who used bodas a lot, I found myself trying out this app which had just come onto the scene, where you order and receive a bodaboda. After ordering for the first time, that was it, since I was working in Ntinda and it was easy to get a bodaboda through the requests, it was an easy way out for me.
What prompted me at that time was also the low prices it brought to the market. This helped me save on the money that I had because the boda rides were cheap and quick to get. Also, there was no wasting time explaining or bargaining how much to pay. The price was set and all I had to do was to just sit. The other thing was their professionalism. I love the fact that in an industry where you are not certain about security and safety, Safeboda brought in a product that ensures customer satisfaction and security at the same time. So it was just easy to choose.
Two key benefits you have found in using the app?
It is an easy to use app, friendly and easily accessible. And now the fact that you can easily pay for different services easily while using the app, is going to help solve most of the issues of having few payment platforms around Uganda.
Any interesting stories or SafeBoda experiences you may have that you can share?
I love it when I’m paired with my tribe mates. Most times we turn to Lusoga and jazz all the way till the end of the trip.
So there’s this one guy I was paired with, called Isabirye. When I saw the ping on the phone with his name, I promised not to speak in Lusoga at all. However, when he got to the pick-up point, the first thing I said was “Aye baba, okobaki munha” (translated as “how are you doing, man?”). The rest is history because we ended up becoming friends and exchanging numbers.
What, in your view, do you think SafeBoda represents?
PROFESSIONALISM. I love the fact that most of the boda boda riders are taken through a course to ensure that they get to learn the art of customer care and that has been the best change to the industry. In a world of uncertainties where you can send a package from one place to another and you are rest assured that the package is going to arrive safely, that is really a game changer in the industry.
Make one SafeBoda wish!
Nze ndowoza iPhone13 tenkola bubi. (translated as: “An iPhone 13 isn’t a bad option”)
