Sanlam Allianz has launched a new micro insurance product aimed at everyday commuters in Uganda, offering low cost protection against accident related losses for passengers who travel by boda boda, taxi or bus.
The product marketed as the On-the-Go Accident Cover is available for instant purchase via smartphone, with premiums starting at about UGX 1,300. Policyholders receive benefits that include compensation for accidental death, permanent disability, medical expenses and funeral costs, with total cover of up to UGX 3.15 million.
Speaking at the launch in Kampala, Ruth Namuli, Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam Allianz Uganda, said the product was designed to respond to the high human and financial cost of road accidents in the country. She described the cover as “simple, affordable and accessible right from your smartphone,” and urged transport and telecom partners to explore integration so travellers could buy protection seamlessly when paying for rides.
Namuli told journalists the company was motivated by recent road safety statistics and the urgent need for practical financial protection targeting ordinary commuters. The insurer emphasises fast onboarding and straightforward claims processes as part of the product’s design.
The Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA) endorsed the product at the launch. Stephen Kadu Mukasa, the IRA representative, confirmed the cover had passed regulatory review and welcomed it as a “practical protection solution” that can advance financial inclusion for low-income and on-the-move Ugandans.
Civil society groups also welcomed the move. Sam Stewart Mutabaazi of the Civil Society Coalition on Transport (C-SPOT) said the offering fills a critical gap by making accident cover affordable even for short, low-cost trips noting that a trip to a regional town costing as little as UGX 5,000 could now be paired with protection.
Sanlam Allianz highlighted that the On-the-Go product can be bought through a mobile app and is applicable to accident incidents occurring within a 24 month coverage period. The firm said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to scale insurance products that fit everyday behaviours and payment patterns.
Industry analysts at the launch noted that micro insurance tailored to everyday travel can reduce out-of-pocket shocks and support household resilience, but they also urged the insurer to focus on clear consumer education, simple claims handling and sustained partner integration to drive uptake.