Stuart Tibaweswa

Documentary Photographer

www.stuarttibaweswa.com

New York Times - Evolving Africa, E-bikes

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Location: Kampala, Uganda

Nationality: Ugandan

Biography: Stuart Tibaweswa is a Kampala-based Ugandan documentary photographer. His work often focuses on marginalised communities, their relationship to wider society and further seeks to contribute towards misrepresented narratives.

Ronald Mungu, a worker at Zembo...fore earning an extra shilling.

Ronald Mungu, a worker at Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company inserts an electrically charged battery in a customer’s bike on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at their swap station point in Kampala, Uganda. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

An electric battery charging st...fore earning an extra shilling.

An electric battery charging station at Makerere Swap Station in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. At a battery percentage of 30% and below, riders are able to take the batteries for swap at an affordable rate of 5000 Ugandan Shillings. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

An electrically charged battery...fore earning an extra shilling.

An electrically charged battery at Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company in Kampala, Uganda before it is placed in a customer's bike on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. At a battery percentage of 30% and below, riders are able to take the batteries for swap at an affordable rate of 5000 Ugandan Shillings. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

Ibrahim Mukisa, an electric bik...fore earning an extra shilling.

Ibrahim Mukisa, an electric bike rider in Kampala, Uganda poses for a portrait at the Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company’s battery swapping point on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. “In 2020 after the second lockdown, I got an electric bike. I found it’s different – no fuel, easy to ride and the payment terms were good” The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

A mechanic at Zembo Electric Mo...fore earning an extra shilling.

A mechanic at Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company in Kampala, Uganda fixing the dashboard of a client’s bike on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

Jackson Wamala, an electric bik...fore earning an extra shilling.

Jackson Wamala, an electric bike rider at Usafi Taxi Park Bodaboda stage in Kampala on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

A company identification card o...fore earning an extra shilling.

A company identification card of Ngobi Peter, an electric bodaboda rider under Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. For one to get their battery swapped, they have to present this ID for the transaction to happen. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

An electric bike rider during a...fore earning an extra shilling.

An electric bike rider during a traffic stop in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

A worker at Zembo Electric Moto...fore earning an extra shilling.

A worker at Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company inserts an electrically charged battery in a customer’s bike on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at their swap station point in Kampala, Uganda. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

Tonny Owiny, an electric bike r...fore earning an extra shilling.

Tonny Owiny, an electric bike rider in Kampala, Uganda poses for a portrait on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Tonny who has been a bodaboda rider for close to two years embraced the electric bike technology early this year in 2023. “I used to see these bikes around town and I asked someone about them. I was then encouraged and told me about the costs and payment plan which motivated me” The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

An operative at Zembo Electric ...fore earning an extra shilling.

An operative at Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company accessing the state of charge of a customer's battery on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at their swap station point in Kampala, Uganda. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

Tonny Owiny, an electric bike rider in Kampala, Uganda, receiving battery swapping service at the Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company’s battery swapping point on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

Elly Tumwine, a fleet worker at...fore earning an extra shilling.

Elly Tumwine, a fleet worker at Zembo Electric Motorcycle Company poses for a portrait on an electrically powered ‘tuk-tuk’ on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the company's swap station point in Kampala, Uganda. Elly’s main work is to deliver depleted batteries to swap stations around the city, and also pickup damaged bikes that need fixing at the main garage. The company is one of those contributing to finding a solution to the noise and air pollution that motorcycles cause especially in Kampala City. The fuel-free motorbikes have similarly improved the livelihood of ‘bodaboda riders’ who have embraced them as they are easy to maintain with fuel costs therefore earning an extra shilling.

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New York Times - Evolving Africa, E-bikes

Copyright Stuart Tibaweswa 2024

Updated Sep 2023

For The New York Times.

As the most common mode of urban transport, motorcycle taxis zip through the streets in African cities like Kigali, Kampala, Nairobi, and Cotonou, carrying both passengers and packages to their destinations. But climate change is bringing scientists, governments, and startups together to find a solution to the noise and air pollution these bikes help cause. Innovation and policy have led to increased popularity of electric motorcycle taxis in these four cities, with promising results.

Stuart Tibaweswa

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