The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Confusion has emerged over the management of the Luweero stage in the recently inaugurated Bwaise transit terminal.
The terminal is intended to be the operating point for all taxis serving the Bwaise and Kalerwe areas. However, this development has led to the emergence of two separate stages for Luweero within the terminal, contradicting the terminal’s intended purpose.
Ashraf Kasirye, a taxi driver who plies the Luweero route, says that the situation has rendered them unable to work effectively. The emergence of two stages has divided passengers, impacting the efficiency of operations. Kasirye revealed that a taxi proprietor named Bonny, affiliated with Hujambo Taxi has established a separate Luweero stage within the park, leading to the parallel operation of over 60 taxis.
Kasirye alleged that bribery played a role in instituting the parallel stage by Hujambo Taxi’s management. He also pointed out that Hujambo Taxi had been operating informally along the road on the northern bypass, raising questions about their legitimacy to establish a stage within the terminal.
He further noted concerns about security due to the presence of hired individuals, allegedly including “Kifeesi” goons, enforcing the operation and directing passengers. In response, Medi Nsobya, the manager of Hujambo Taxi and chairman of Luweero, Matugga Ssemuto, and Kapeeka stage, clarified that the misunderstanding between the stages has persisted for a decade in Bwaise.
This history led to the establishment of parallel Luweero stages to cater to passengers who were previously underserved due to mismanagement.
Nsobya denied the allegations of using hired individuals to create insecurity, stating that most of those individuals are taxi conductors and touts, and some are even national-level boxers.
Francis Ssemakadde, chairman of the park, emphasized that the terminal’s opening aimed to alleviate the need for passengers to travel long distances to reach their destinations. He also mentioned plans to penalize taxi drivers engaging in robbery, echoing a measure previously implemented along the northern bypass.
The establishment of the terminal was a Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) initiative to de-congest the city. During the initial 15-day trial period, taxis are permitted to operate in the park at no cost. An early morning operation involving police and the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF) enforcement team marked the opening of the park, stopping taxis operating along the road.
Passengers who were unaware of the new terminal opening found themselves stranded along the road, as taxis were no longer stopping along the route to pick them up. This development disrupted the usual transportation flow, with passengers being taken to alternative stops further away from their intended destinations.
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