Public transporters banned from loading passengers along roadsides in Gulu city

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gulu city authorities have banned transporters from loading passengers and cargo along the streets in the city. The ban stems from congestion and lawlessness along Keyo, Andrea, Sir Samuel Baker roads as well as Gulu-Kampala highway where taxis, buses, trucks, and other public vehicles have been operating from.

The congestion has led to the rise of criminal activities such as snatching of handbags and phones from members of the public by people masquerading as touts. Denise Odongpiny, the Gulu Resident City Commissioner who also doubles as the Gulu City Security Committee chairperson, says that the resolution to ban public transporters from the streets is part of the committee’s move to reorganize the city and contain crime.

Odongpiny revealed that the Security Committee met the transporters and directed them to begin loading from Gulu main bus park and Makome bus park in Pece-Laroo division, and Gulu City bus terminal and Lamogi-Ber bus terminal in Bardege-Layibi division.

Last week, Odongpiny met the management of Gulu City Bus Terminal where they allowed the public transporters to load from the terminal for free until the bus terminal becomes popular and starts attracting more passengers.

Stephen Kaija, the Aswa River Region Deputy Police Commander says that much as they are acting from the security angle, the community and local leaders in Gulu city should also join hands in reorganizing the city as well as fighting crimes.

Late last month, Gulu City Security Committee ordered all the roadside vendors to vacate citing security threats and road crashes. They ordered the vendors to relocate to the gazzetted markets in the city.

*****

URN