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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Speakers from the five city divisions want the proposed transport guidelines by Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA discussed by their councils before they are adopted. Through their umbrella, the Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA Speakers’ Forum, the speakers say they should be allowed to discuss the guidelines since they are people’s representatives.
According to the proposal, KCCA seeks to register boda bodas and taxis operating in the City to create a digital data base, gazette parks, stages, routes and stops for taxis and boda bodas. KCCA also wants to introduce route numbers and colors for taxis operators to enhance order in the business.
It also proposes the introduction of identification of drivers/riders which shall include uniforms and badges to ease tracking to control crime. However, Musa Mbaziira the chairperson of the Forum and Lubaga Division Speaker says government needs to consult stakeholders about their plan rather than hijacking them during the current lockdown.
He says even the renovation of Old taxi park should be implemented after proper assessment of what impact it has on taxi operators.
Sylvia Kiiza, the Speaker Kampala Central Division says they are in better position to consult with stakeholders in the taxi and boda boda industry and should be left to do so and debate the proposals before government implements them.
Kiiza wants the ongoing renovation at the old taxi park halted until taxi operators are consulted and properly sensitized. She says KCCA should have consulted a few leaders of the taxi operators before proceeding with the works.
Aisha Nabasirye, the Deputy Speaker Makindye Division says they will petition the Speaker of parliament to have the suggested guidelines sent back to council for consideration before they are discussed on the floor of parliament.
Moses Mubiru, the Nakawa Division Speaker says they have a mandate like that given to the Speaker of parliament to lead councilors in discussion of issues affecting their areas and that should be respected.
According to the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Betty Amongi, KCCA has so far gazetted 66 stages including parks and 137 routes while for boda bodas, mapped out 970 stages and proposed gazetting 585 in the five Divisions in the first phase.
KCCA also plans to introduce scheduled bus services within circular routes of boda boda free zone within the Central Business District (CBD), support boda boda riders that are not registered with digital companies/associations to join existing ones, form new associations or register on their own as individual riders.
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