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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Taxi operators and passengers are concerned about the new traffic guidelines released by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
On Friday 18th October 2019 KCCA issued traffic changes due to the on-going construction of the Kampala Fly Over and the Namirembe – Luwum Street. The changes will take effect on 25th October 2019.
The changes indicated that taxis going to Entebbe road will be moved from Old Taxi Park to Usafi park. This would affect taxis operating at Kajjansi stage, Zana- Namasuba stage, Kasenyi stage, Ndeeba- Sembuule stage, Kibuye Queens way stage and Ndejje Stage.
The above stages would be replaced by taxis plying Kansanga, Ggaba, Muyenga, Buziga, Makindye Nabisalu stage via Nsambya and Salaama Nabisalu stage via Nsambya. These stages currently operate along streets around Shoprite, Shell and Gapco fuel stations. All vehicles operating on the streets around the Taxi Park will be moved to operate inside the park.
Speaking to URN, Richard Mark Kalumba, a taxi driver at Entebbe stage said although the changes will inconvenience their operations, he is ready to relocate. He hopes passengers will follow them to Usafi Park rather than resorting to use taxis in the new taxi park or Kisenyi taxi park.
Musa Waligo, a driver at Kajjansi stage says he was once at Usafi but left because KCCA had failed to properly organize taxi parks. He is worried that KCCA could fail to ensure that no taxis operate on the streets, while others are made to park inside the parks. Waligo says he is not in agreement with the move.
When URN visited the old taxi park, Usafi Park and the stages on the street at Shoprite near the Indian temple, the taxis were still operating as usual.
Rashid Sekinde, the vice chairman of KOTSA told URN that KCCA had engaged them about the changes and they are ready to support the move. He says that much as the changes interfere with operations of taxi operators and passengers, they are necessary for the betterment of the city.
He however called upon KCCA to ensure that as taxis are taken off the streets, boda bodas should not be left to substitute them. He also called for security of the passengers while walking to Usafi along Nakivubo channel and Nakivubo Blue primary school.
The changes will also affect business people operating in the parks including fruit and food vendors among others running several business. URN talked to business people at the Entebbe stage in the Old taxi park.
Francis Kibule a vendor of apples says the changes are likely to take away their customers. Their customers include occasional and routine passengers at the stage and also taxi operators. Kibule plans to relocate to Usafi Park or Usafi market if business in the old taxi park turns against him.
Apart from taxi operators and business people, the changes will also affect passengers whose stages will be moved to Usafi park. For passengers, the main fear is about distance and safety walking to Usafi.
The distance from the old taxi park to Usafi is about 900 meters, walkable in an estimated twelve minutes. Sadat Ssemaganda, a resident of Zana also told URN that she is worried about the distance and safety. However, he also says that the move is likely to improve traffic flow.
KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju speaking to URN reiterated KCCA’s commitment to organize the city saying that the changes are for the good of the city. He says they are working with police to ensure safety of passengers. He called upon taxi operators to respect and implement the changes. The taxi operators have until Friday 25th October to relocate to their respective new areas of operation.
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