Truck Drivers Refute City Order to Relocate to uhuru parking yard
By; Wetondo Denis Julius
Mbale: Truck and pickup drivers operating in Mbale City have rejected a directive from the city council requiring them to vacate the streets and move to Uhuru Auto Service Park Yard, a private facility opposite the Police Barracks along Mbale-Tororo Road.
The directive, aimed at enforcing trade and transport order in the city, has sparked tension among drivers who argue they were not consulted.
According to a letter written by the city , Mbale City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the facility owner, ensuring that the space is sufficient for all trucks. Each vehicle operator is expected to pay Shs 2,000 per day to the management of the park.
“You are further directed that effective 7th March 2025, you are all expected to have relocated to Uhuru Auto Service Parking Yard. Your leadership is invited for an official handover on 3rd March 2025 at 2:00 PM in the town clerk’s office,” the letter reads.
Truck and pickup drivers have denied holding meetings with city authorities or agreeing to the relocation. They accuse the council of failing to provide a designated parking area after allegedly selling their former park to private developers.
Abud Madoi, chairperson of the association, while speaking to ourreporter, expressed frustration with the directive.
“They take us as if we’re not leaders. Who did they meet and agree with? We are not willing to move to Uhuru Park Yard and start paying 2,000 shillings daily as if we don’t already pay local revenue. We need our park, just like buses and taxis have theirs,” Madoi said.
Madoi also revealed that the association had written to the Mbale City Council through the National Union of Drivers, Cyclists, and Allied Workers but received no response.
“We know they have organized police, law enforcement officers, and the military, but we are not afraid. We are not enemies; we just want our rightful place,” he stated.
Ali Walude, a truck driver and chairman of Coffee Tree Stage, vowed to escalate the matter to the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) and even President Museveni.
“How can you sell all the open space and then push us into a private facility? We will not move unless they provide us with a proper alternative,” Walude argued.
He further claimed that the decision was suddenly implemented, with police involvement, before operators were given a chance for discussion.
Mauso James, General Secretary of Elgon Corner Stage, informed Bugisu intellectual forum that we need to unite as truck drivers to fight for our space.
“We must stand together. Before the city council forces us away, they should sit down with us and agree on where to take us,” he urged.
Mbale City Public Relations Officer, James Kutosi says, sometimes meetings are not attended by all, maybe those who are saying they were not engage might not be part of the meeting.
“It’s true they want to know where they are being relocated, and we have secured a place for them. When the agreed time comes, we will facilitate their move,” Kutosi explained.
He added that the city council is open to further engagement to ensure a peaceful resolution.
“We don’t want to force people. These are adults, and we prefer dialogue over deployments,” he said.
