Drivers rush to renew permits as deadline looms

It's a race to renew the driving permit.

Hundreds of drivers have rushed to Face Technologies to renew their driving permits before the fee increases in the new financial year.

Face Technologies is a company contracted by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to issue driving permits to Ugandans. They also do renewals.

Starting this coming financial year budget, the cost of a three-year driving permit will go for sh150,000 up from sh66, 000. And this does not include the fees paid to Face Technologies.

Drivers have been paying an extra sh30, 000 for the temporary permit and sh60, 000 for a driving permit at the company.

Ahead of July 1 - when the new financial year begins - long queues have been snaking through the parking lot of the company's headquarters off Jinja road in Kyambogo  before coming out  of the main gate as many lined up to beat the June 30 deadline.

"This is too much for us," said one driver in the queue. He is among the scores who have been braving the sweltering temperatures to renew their driving permits.

An ambulance was on standby to offer First Aid for emergencies.