In a dusty truck yard on the outskirts of Kampala, the conversation wasn’t about traffic jams or rising fuel prices—it was about technology. Graduate Innovation Thinktank Ltd, the company behind LoadMaster, had gathered a group of truck drivers to test their soon-to-launch logistics app. This wasn’t a sleek boardroom presentation. It was practical, grounded in the realities of Uganda’s transport sector.

The session moved quickly from demo to hands-on testing. Drivers downloaded the app, registered, and navigated its features. Some even booked mock trips among themselves, moving through the platform with surprising ease.

“We wanted to see how real drivers—many of whom are not deeply tech-savvy—would interact with the platform,” said Elijah Rwothoromo, one of LoadMaster’s lead developers. “It was encouraging to see how quickly they understood it. Some completed mock bookings and tracked them successfully. They appreciated the simplicity and the fairness in pricing. We also got valuable feedback that we’ll include in the next update.”

For the team, this wasn’t just technical testing. It was validation. The app had to work not just on their laptops, but in the hands of those who move Uganda’s goods every day.

Matovu Yubu, a medium truck driver from Najjeera in Kira Municipality, was optimistic about what the platform could mean for drivers like him.

“The app came at the right time,” he said. “It’s easy to use, even for those of us who aren’t used to smartphone apps. It helps us connect with customers we wouldn’t easily find on our own.” He paused, then added, “My only concern was whether pricing would be fair for us drivers. Sometimes apps favor customers and make the drivers lose out—but the prices here are fair for both sides, within what’s normal in the market.”

That tension—balancing affordability for customers with sustainability for drivers—is key in Uganda’s logistics space. LoadMaster’s model, which offers upfront pricing and transparent fee structures, appears to have struck that balance early on.

Frank Kayizzi from Kiwatule highlighted a different advantage. “For me, what stood out is the reliability,” he said. “Most times we depend on phone calls or brokers who promise cargo and then disappear. With this app, once you get a booking, you’re sure it’s confirmed. That gives us confidence and saves us from wasting time.”

For drivers who spend long hours looking for cargo or waiting at truck stops hoping for a call, LoadMaster represents something rare in the informal transport market: stability and predictability.

The dev team took notes throughout. A few drivers suggested improvements—clearer route displays, fuel cost estimates for longer trips, a customer review system to reward professional drivers. “We noted everything,” Rwothoromo said. “This kind of feedback helps us refine the app before the public rollout. It’s not just about coding; it’s about listening to the people who’ll use it daily.”

After the demo, drivers huddled around phones, comparing features, trying out trip estimates, debating which areas would see the most bookings. A few asked when the app would officially launch—they were ready to start using it for actual work.

What struck the team most was the optimism. Despite years of operating in an unstructured market where deals are struck over phone calls and chance meetings, these drivers were ready to embrace a digital solution that promised reliability, transparency, and opportunity.

“Trust is everything in this business,” Rwothoromo reflected. “Once the drivers saw that the app gives both sides clear information—who’s booking, what’s being transported, how much it pays—they immediately understood the value. That’s when we knew we were onto something meaningful.”

As the sun dipped over Kampala’s skyline, the field test wrapped up with firm handshakes and genuine excitement. The drivers left sensing that the future of their trade was about to change—and that they’d be part of it.

LoadMaster’s public launch is set before the end of the year. The platform promises real-time tracking, upfront pricing, vetted drivers, and customer support—tools that could bring long-overdue order to Uganda’s cargo transport industry.

And if the reactions from this field test are anything to go by, LoadMaster isn’t just building an app. It’s building trust.