Taxi operators create illegal stages near district boundaries

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Taxi operators along the Kampala-Jinja highway and Gayaza-Bugerere road have shifted their operations to areas near the district boundaries.

This follows the ban on inter-district travel that was instituted by President Museveni on Sunday following a surge in the Covid-19 cases.

To stop taxis crossing from Mukono to Buikwe, the police have mounted a roadblock at Kikondo-Namagunga. Another has been set up at Buyira-Nkokonjeru to block movements connecting to Katosi road.

Another checkpoint has been set up at the Nile bridge at Njeru to stop taxis from Jinja city to Buikwe and along the Gayaza-Bugerere road, the major checkpoint is at the Ssezibwa bridge.

Our reporter saw taxis dropping passengers to the new illegal stages located about 100 metres from the checkpoints. Only travelers wearing masks cross the checkpoints by foot to access taxis parked at the opposite side.

James Musinguzi, a resident at Lwanyonyi Mukono welcomed the enforcement of the ban by the police. He says that it is likely to stop the spread of the disease.

Justine Nakyeswa says police should allow boda boda riders to carry passengers to cross to other districts as long as they adhere to the standard operating procedures- SOPs.

Meanwhile, a few taxis are already parked in major parking yards within Mukono and Lugazi municipality.

*****

URN