Police warn city drivers over demo

By Andrew Ssenyonga

Police have warned all city taxi drivers planning to strike over Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) operations in the city that they will be dealt with.

The National Union of Drivers, Cyclists and Allied Workers (NUDCAW) are planning a demonstration protesting what they  call violation of drivers’ rights by the Kampala Capital City Authority.

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said the organisers have not sought permission from the Police adding that the event would also jeopardize business in the country.

Enanga also noted that they have information that the drivers have threatened to burn vehicles of those who will not oblige with their demonstration.

“While we respect people's right to protest peacefully, the safety of the community is paramount and anyone who behaves in a way that might create disorder or disrupt people going lawfully about their business will be dealt with.

Anyone who would want to exploit this demonstration by behaving in a criminal, racist or anti-social way will be dealt with appropriately,” Enanga said.

He added that police will arrest whoever is harassing motorists and other road users who may not have participated in the demo.

“We will not tolerate a group of people who want to use the demonstration to disrupt the peace of Ugandans,” Enanga stressed.

In a statement made by the leadership of NUDCAW at the Central Organization of Free Trade Unions- Uganda (COFTU) offices in Ntinda on Tuesday, they vowed hold a the demo from Monday next week until KCCA responds to their demands. 

“KCCA has among other issues, ignored complaints and views by the drivers’ leaders and their organisations and continues to use unlimited powers to levy exorbitant taxes and through its officials who impound vehicles without justifiable cause,” said Abdulla Kitata, the NUDCAW National chairman.

Kitata added that the authority banned the loading and offloading of people on the streets and failed to gazette alternative stages.

“KCCA has more so failed to set up clear ways of collecting money, failed to bridge the communication gap between the riders, drivers and the authority,” he noted.