The loading of Busia-bound taxis is cause for worry, I can assure you!
Nov 11, 2003
SIR— I am forced to write to you about the loading of Busia-bound taxis at the Old Taxi Park. The people who load the vehicles abusive passengers and often act like madmen.
SIR— I am forced to write to you about the loading of Busia-bound taxis at the Old Taxi Park. The people who load the vehicles abusive passengers and often act like madmen.
Before overloading the boot which often has to be left open with goods supported by ropes, they fill all the available space inside the taxi. The area just behind the driver and the two passengers to his left is filled with bulging goods tied on the bar which supports the driver’s seat. If you are already seated you are rudely told to raise your legs so that rolls of cloth are placed under your feet.
The places under the seats are filled with goods even with jerricans of oil paint!
Lastly goods are placed at the sides of the seats which forces the passengers to be seated as though they are four passengers on each seat.
Now just imagine being caged in like this for three solid hours!
Apart from inconveniencing passengers, these Busia taxis are actually prone to accidents due to overloading and speeding. If there will be a serious accident with oil paint jerricans, I am sure only ashes will remain at the scene.
What is most annoying is that Maj Gen Katumba Wamala’s police officers are on the road. They are spread out along the road. But when the taxis approach them, they are waived to proceed. Yet some of the lorries which are empty are stopped! When you complain to UTODA, officials at the park always claim the goods belong to passengers! In fact, the owners of the goods at times do not travel in these taxis at all. Katumba Wamala and UTODA should save us.
John Egesa
Busia
Before overloading the boot which often has to be left open with goods supported by ropes, they fill all the available space inside the taxi. The area just behind the driver and the two passengers to his left is filled with bulging goods tied on the bar which supports the driver’s seat. If you are already seated you are rudely told to raise your legs so that rolls of cloth are placed under your feet.
The places under the seats are filled with goods even with jerricans of oil paint!
Lastly goods are placed at the sides of the seats which forces the passengers to be seated as though they are four passengers on each seat.
Now just imagine being caged in like this for three solid hours!
Apart from inconveniencing passengers, these Busia taxis are actually prone to accidents due to overloading and speeding. If there will be a serious accident with oil paint jerricans, I am sure only ashes will remain at the scene.
What is most annoying is that Maj Gen Katumba Wamala’s police officers are on the road. They are spread out along the road. But when the taxis approach them, they are waived to proceed. Yet some of the lorries which are empty are stopped! When you complain to UTODA, officials at the park always claim the goods belong to passengers! In fact, the owners of the goods at times do not travel in these taxis at all. Katumba Wamala and UTODA should save us.
John Egesa
Busia