Soroti | A renowned boda-boda rider Francis Okiror, 45, a primary seven dropout, has welcomed a motion by the State Minister for Teso Affairs, Dr. Clement Ongalo, urging the Ministry of Tourism to include him as one of the museum curators.
Minister Ongalo moved a motion on May 18, 2024, during the International Museum Day celebrations in Soroti City, which was adopted by Teso Parliamentary Group (TPG) Chairperson Bosco Okiror and Toroma County MP Joseph Andrew Koluo.
The motion seeks to recognise Okiror for his extensive knowledge of all Ugandan districts and cities, as well as their establishment dates.
In an exclusive interview with tndNews, Okiror expressed his appreciation for the proposal, emphasising the importance of such recognition.
Despite visiting fewer than ten districts, including Soroti, Palisa, Tororo, Jinja, and Kampala, his knowledge is comprehensive.
Who exactly is Francis Okiror?
The 45-year-old lives in Palaet village, Tubur sub-county, Soroti district, with his five children.
He is the son of the late Florence Amoding and Charles Opama, who died between 1987 and 1989.
Okiror dropped out of formal education in 1992 due to financial constraints at Nakatunya Primary School, which is now located in Soroti City.
When given the opportunity to meet President Museveni, Okiror hopes to request oxen and a motorcycle to improve his farming activities and increase his savings through motorcycle transportation services.
With 24 years of experience as a bicycle boda-boda rider, Okiror estimates that owning a motorbike will allow him to save shs20,000 per day, totaling shs7 million annually.
He stated that money would make a significant contribution to his family’s development and children’s education, as education is essential to success.
Family endeavours and challenges
Okiror describes how his earnings from boda-boda riding allowed him to marry his wife and begin small-scale farming projects.
He once owned eight pigs, which unfortunately died of swine flu, and had a poultry project with over 30 chickens, all of which were stolen in one night.
These setbacks have deeply disappointed him, reflecting his displeasure with people who undermine others’ efforts by stealing.
Unfulfilled promises and cautious optimism
Promises have raised Okiror’s hopes on several occasions before. During the 2018 Iteso Heritage Day celebration at Soroti Hotel, Silas Aogon, MP for Kumi Municipality, publicly announced that the Teso Parliamentary Group would buy Okiror a motorbike in recognition of his ability to recall the names of all Ugandan districts.
However, this promise was never kept, prompting Okiror to be cautious about the recently moved motion.
Despite his reservations, Okiror remains optimistic that this new opportunity will allow him to contribute to Uganda’s history as a museum curator.
By Robert Edwomu
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