Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using Owoti ("the Service"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services.

2. Service Description

Owoti is a ride-hailing and delivery platform that connects passengers with drivers in Uganda. We provide a technology platform but do not provide transportation or delivery services directly. Drivers are independent operators who use the Owoti platform to receive ride and delivery requests.

3. User Accounts

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
• You must provide accurate and complete information, including a valid Uganda phone number
• Phone number verification via SMS is required to activate your account
• You are responsible for maintaining account security
• One person may only create one account
• You may not transfer your account to another person

4. User Conduct

You agree to:

• Treat all users with respect and courtesy
• Not engage in fraudulent, illegal, or harmful activities
• Not harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Provide accurate location information
• Pay agreed fares promptly
• Not damage vehicles or property

5. Driver Requirements

Drivers must:

• Possess a valid driver's license (where applicable)
• Have proper vehicle registration
• Maintain their vehicle in safe operating condition
• Complete verification and approval through the Owoti admin team
• Comply with all traffic laws and regulations
• Maintain an active subscription plan to receive ride and delivery requests (see Section 6)

6. Driver Subscription Plans

Owoti operates on a subscription-based model for drivers. To access the platform and receive ride and delivery requests, drivers must purchase and maintain an active subscription plan.

6.1 Subscription Structure

• Subscription plans are available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
• Plans are tied to the driver's registered vehicle type (e.g., Boda Boda, Car)
• Pricing varies by vehicle type and subscription duration
• All subscription prices are listed in Ugandan Shillings (UGX) and are displayed in the app before purchase

6.2 Subscription Activation & Expiry

• A subscription becomes active immediately upon successful payment
• Subscriptions expire automatically at the end of the purchased duration (1 day, 7 days, or 30 days from activation)
• Subscriptions do not auto-renew — drivers must manually purchase a new plan before or after expiry
• Once a subscription expires, the driver will no longer receive new ride or delivery requests until a new subscription is purchased
• Rides or deliveries already in progress at the time of expiry may be completed

6.3 Subscription Payments

• Payments can be made via MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Mobile Money, or cash (through admin)
• All subscription payments are non-refundable once activated, except as required by law
• Owoti reserves the right to offer promotional or free trial subscriptions at its discretion
• Promotional subscriptions are subject to the same terms and may be revoked if misused

6.4 Subscription & Earnings

• Under the subscription model, drivers keep 100% of all ride and delivery fares collected from passengers
• No per-ride commission is deducted while a subscription is active
• Fares are agreed upon between passengers and drivers, and paid directly to the driver

6.5 Changes to Subscription Plans

• Owoti reserves the right to modify subscription pricing, durations, or terms at any time
• Changes will not affect active subscriptions — they will apply upon the next purchase
• Drivers will be notified of pricing changes through the app or SMS

7. Payments and Fares

• Ride and delivery fares are calculated based on distance and vehicle type rates set by Owoti
• Passengers pay fares directly to drivers in cash or via mobile money
• Drivers retain 100% of fares collected (subscription model)
• Owoti is not responsible for fare disputes between passengers and drivers

8. Cancellations

• Passengers may cancel rides before driver acceptance at no cost
• Drivers may decline ride requests
• Excessive cancellations by either party may result in account restrictions or suspension

9. Ratings and Reviews

• Users may rate and review each other after rides
• Ratings must be honest and based on actual experience
• We reserve the right to remove inappropriate reviews
• Consistently low ratings may result in account restrictions

10. Deliveries

• Owoti facilitates package delivery between senders and recipients through drivers
• Senders are responsible for ensuring packages comply with all applicable laws
• Prohibited items include illegal substances, weapons, hazardous materials, and perishable goods without proper packaging
• Owoti and its drivers are not liable for damage to improperly packaged items
• Delivery fees are calculated based on distance and package size

11. Liability and Disclaimers

Owoti is a technology platform and:

• Does not employ drivers or own vehicles
• Is not responsible for driver actions or vehicle condition
• Does not guarantee service availability
• Is not liable for accidents, injuries, or property damage during rides or deliveries
• Provides the service "as is" without warranties
• Is not responsible for items lost or damaged during delivery

12. Insurance

Drivers are required to maintain appropriate insurance coverage for their vehicles. Owoti does not provide insurance for drivers, passengers, or delivered packages.

13. Intellectual Property

All content, trademarks, and intellectual property on the Owoti platform are owned by Hakateq Solutions Limited or licensed to us. You may not use our intellectual property without written permission.

14. Account Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for:

• Violation of these terms
• Fraudulent activity or misuse of promotional subscriptions
• Safety concerns
• Excessive complaints or consistently low ratings
• Inappropriate or abusive behavior
• Operating without an active subscription (for drivers)

Account suspension does not entitle drivers to a refund of any active subscription.

15. Account Deletion

• Passengers may request account deletion through the app (Profile → Settings → Delete Account)
• Account deletion is scheduled for 30 days after the request, during which you can cancel by logging in
• After deletion, your personal data will be removed, though some records may be retained for legal compliance

16. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from use of the Service shall be resolved through:

• First, contact our support team at info@hakateq.com or through the in-app support feature
• If unresolved, mediation in Uganda
• Disputes shall be governed by the laws of Uganda

17. Changes to Terms

We may modify these terms at any time. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms. Significant changes will be communicated through the app or SMS.

18. Privacy

Your use of Owoti is also governed by our Privacy Policy.

19. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service:

• Company: Hakateq Solutions Limited
• Email: info@hakateq.com
• Phone: +256 743 102 612
• Address: Lira City, Uganda

20. Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.