Row Over Taxi Park Leasing

By Catherine Kigozi DIVISION has emerged among Kampala City Council officials over the planned leasing of the Old Taxi Park to an Asian-owned firm. The council has drawn up a proposal to grant a 49-year lease to Translink Uganda Ltd, which belongs to Mukesh Thuresh, a Kampala businessman. But some council officials, including the mayor, John Ssebaana Kizito, have opposed the move. Ssebaana said he would not sign any documents supporting the project arguing that it is against the interests of the people. "I can never sign a document which is against the interests of the people. I want you to tell the people that they should not fear because this is a mere proposal subject to rejection," he said. The company is expected to carry out renovation and rehabilitation of the park at US$8 to 12m. A report on the joint venture proposal for the development of the park signed by the deputy town clerk, Mr. James Sseggane, indicates that Translink will pay premium and an annual ground rent. It will also continue paying property rent. "After completion of the structure, Traslink will pay annual property rates and will continue paying the ground rent," the document says. It also said, "Council shall relocate the taxis presently using the Old Taxi Park and shall also notify vendors to vacate the premises". But taxi operators have opposed the idea of contracting a foreigner to manage the park. They said they would not allow Translink to take up the contract. Moses Katongole, UTODA chairman, told The New Vision that UTODA has the capacity to do the work and had earlier asked KCC to give them the plan and proposal on how they want the park to appear. But KCC turned it down. Ends