A motorcycle taxi rider in Uganda earns a nickname for wearing white clothes

Joseph Okongo, a 50-year-old motorcycle taxi rider in Jinja City, Uganda, has earned the nickname "Doctor" because he wears all-white clothing every day.

He operates a boda-boda, a common motorcycle taxi, and wears a white long-sleeved shirt, white trousers, and white shoes to work. While most riders dress casually, Okongo's attire makes him look like a medical professional. Okongo says his preference for white clothing began in his childhood when his parents bought him clothes in that color.

He maintains a strict personal rule to keep his wardrobe white, stating that he feels untidy in other colors. He owns several pairs of white trousers, shirts, and shoes, and even keeps his bedding and work items in the same color. To keep his clothes clean, he limits his driving to tarmacked roads within a four-kilometer radius of the city center. The rider's unique appearance has had mixed effects on his business.

Some passengers admire his style and call him "Doctor" or "Smart Man," while others refuse to ride with him because they mistake him for a government operative or a medical worker. Despite these challenges, Okongo remains committed to his style as a reflection of his discipline and love for cleanliness. He plans to retire from the motorcycle business soon to tend to his gardens in Bugiri District.