Do Ugandans want order or disorder?

Dec 21, 2016

Ugandans often admire what is done in other countries and use it against authorities.

A well planned city is what Kampalans want to see. But efforts to rid Kampala of what makes it shabby and chaotic are criticised and resisted. Even where it is glaring bad, attempts to bring order to the city are hardly popular.

Ironically it is the people that chant ‘change' during the election campaign who are at the forefront of ‘no change' in regard to improving the city.  They want Kampala to stay the same, in other words no change.

Ugandans often admire what is done in other countries and use it against authorities. But surprising, resist local and central government efforts to do what the admired countries do.

Two weeks ago, the traffic Police embarked on implementing the directive of the Transport Licensing Board (TLB) to decongest Qualicel Bus Terminal in downtown Kampala.

Hitherto, Qualicel has been a station for all buses, so it was a heavily congested transport hub with tens of buses arriving and departing.

Often, due to limited parking space, buses would park outside on surrounding roads where they off-loaded and loaded passengers. Not only was this aggravating congestion but also compromising public safety. The mess has been fodder for critics and also the opposition to portray the local and central government as incapable of efficiently managing the city.

Following the decentralisation, buses plying the eastern Uganda route will operate from Qualicel. While Namayiba in Old Kampala and Kisenyi terminals will be stations for buses serving northern and western routes respectively. Though well intentioned, the decision has not gone well with the people. Several are complaining of inconveniences and how city authorities are inconsiderate.

Oblivious of the, congestions resulting from the central terminal, some people are claiming it is costly to get to Namayiba and Kisenyi bus parks. Even Drake Lubega, the terminal owner, tried to block Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and TLB to station buses in different terminals according to the routes they ply.

To Lubega, it was probably a business fight, an attempt to continue operating a central terminal would mean raking in money for his business. He represents those who prefer the status quo even if it spells disorderliness. But there is another class, the critics who fear losing the opportunity to criticise the establishment.

With a well-planned and orderly city there would be few gross faults to fuel criticisms that punch authorities. But also changes aimed at improving the way services are delivered are considered as inconveniences and obstruction of personal freedoms. Passengers who have been boarding buses to the western and northern Uganda at Qualicel are unhappy because they were accustomed to the facility. To them, their freedom to catch buses has been removed.

Similarly, the vendors and business around see a reduction of passengers, which they fear could negatively impact on their businesses. For them, it is about the possibility of losing customers to buy their merchandise. Then individuals with an axe to grind with authorities are not letting up. They are talking about how the decision was misadvised, wrongly implemented and is hurting the common man.

Recently, the KCCA got a backlash for ordering vendors off the streets. The same people who say Kampala is not fit to be the capital were among those who protested the move. Yet they are quick to make reference to capitals elsewhere, where street vending is prohibited. Instead, KCCA's move turned political. The Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, wanted the vendors, who are his voters, to stay, while the Minister of Kampala, Beti Kamya disagreed. Today the vendors are not completely off the streets and are still a pain to KCCA.

Two years ago, KCCA's attempt to designate taxi stages in the city failed. The taxis freely off-load passengers anywhere in total disregard of regulations. Surprisingly Ugandans admire Rwanda's transports system as organised but are reluctant to have it replicated in Kampala.

The directive to taxis to stop at gazetted stages was considered as punishing passengers who have the freedom to disembark at any point. And the drivers had no qualms about it. They argued that the passengers have a right to jump out when they wish. It turned out that the move to get the city orderly by taxis operating within set standards was demonised as anti-people. Motorcycle taxis, commonly known as bodaboda are a menace too, but attempts to regulate them have failed. In Rwanda, which is a quick reference point for many Ugandans, it is different. They are registered and abide by set regulations including riders and passengers wearing on helmets.

Two years ago, KCCA was bitterly criticised for enforcing an anti-litter law that had several people jailed. When KCCA started demolishing illegal structures to crackdown on unplanned settlements, there was an outcry. But at the same time people accused KCCA of failing to make Kampala look like a capital city.

It is not only hard to understand Ugandans but also to satisfy them.

Twitter: @dmukholi1

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