Taxi drivers' strike paralyzes Entebbe transport

Apr 09, 2014

Residents of Entebbe were Wednesday stranded at Usafi Taxi Park after all taxi drivers went on strike protesting the relocation to a park they claimed was very insecure and had limited space.

By Cecilia Okoth and Vivian Agaba

Residents of Entebbe were Wednesday stranded at Usafi Taxi Park after all taxi drivers went on strike protesting the relocation to a park they claimed was very insecure and had limited space.


Kampala Capital city Authority (KCCA) early this week embarked on a crackdown of illegal commuter taxi stages in the city and asked all taxis to operate in their gazetted taxi parks.

The angry drivers also said the park is located amidst an area with a high crime record which was very insecure and that some of the taxi users shunned the park for fear of their properties being grabbed by thieves.

“Thieves here steal even in broad day light; they do not have to wait for darkness. Women’s bags have been snatched, leaving them stranded on several occasions,” Julius Mugume, Entebbe Road Taxi driver said.

A map showing the distance that passengers now need to walk 

The drivers who shunned their routine duties since 9 am have vowed to continue with their strike until their grievances are sorted.

Some of the taxi users were told to use boda bodas or hire taxis to their destinations since taxi drivers were not willing to go back on the road until they were relocated to their previous stages.

“If you want to go home, take a boda to Kibuye, we are not working and we do not know when we shall resume,” One taxi driver was heard telling a group of stranded taxi users.

                         
 

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