Mbale city passes tough resolution on taxi drivers operating from streets
By;Weswa Ronnie
Mbale City on Monday during the reconciliation meeting passed tough resolutions regarding taxi drivers operating from streets, following a reconciliation meeting with taxi drivers’ leaders at the regional block board room.
The meeting, chaired by Muhamudu Masaba, Mayor of Industrial City Division, aimed to resolve the ongoing friction between city authorities and taxi drivers.
The resolutions which were passed are Taxi Drivers on Tororo Road were directed to relocate to the main taxi park, suspension of the ongoing Impounding Exercise Mbale City has temporarily halted the impounding of taxis and arresting drivers operating on streets for two days. This suspension will remain in effect until the city relocates lorries currently occupying the Kumi Road Market taxi park, making space for taxis, The city will write to the Ministry of Transport, highlighting the insufficiency of the two existing taxi parks (Main Taxi Park and Kumi Road Taxi Park) to accommodate over 1,000 taxis in Mbale City.
The city’s operation to enforce order and impound taxis operating on streets led to conflicts with drivers. According to Asumin Nasike, Mbale Resident City Commissioner, the operation was initiated following a directive from the Ministry of Transport to maintain order in newly created cities.
However, locals and taxi drivers have resisted, citing lack of adequate parking spaces and selective enforcement.
Jolly Hasoho, the deputy town clerk of Mbale city says that during the recent operation the Mbale taxi drivers harmed their enforcement officers and other staff of Mbale city which is uncalled for.
She says that they managed to impound some taxis but later were given back to their owner after Mbale city RCC ordering for peace talks.
Siraji Masagazi the public relations officer Mbale taxi drivers , conductors and owners association says that they are ready to welcome the Mbale city operation on taxi drivers who operate from roads but what made them to resist the operation was that they were not informed to leave streets before the operation, they have not gazetted to them where to go since the main taxi park is small and full, Kumi road taxi park has been occupied by lories.
He adds that Mbale city is selective, they have left other transport sectors like Boda Boda, triycline ( Tukutuku) buses among other disorderly but they are on taxis.
