Councilors demand authenticity of Pioneer Easy Bus contract

By Mark Owor

CITY Authority Councilors have demanded that the leadership of the city explains the authenticity of the Pioneer Easy Bus in the eastern and western zones of Kampala.

The councilors flanked by Ben Luyiga, (Makerere University) said that the company buses have been on trail for the last one year and there is no reason for some politicians to block their services since they are already in the city.

"There is no reason as to why they should not operate in they city yet they have already set up stages and buses are already around," Luyiga said.

According to Record of Attendance, from negotiations meetings held between April and July 2010, which the councilors presented to the press conference at the city hall on Monday, indicate that the bus company was awarded the contracts operation of bus transport in Kampala City- Western and eastern zone as an exclusive concession to operate large buses on routes in the two mentioned zones.

They however say that they were disturbed by the Lord Mayors Erias Lukwago's conflicting statements on the bus system.

"We don't have any problem with Pioneer Easy bus they have been on trial and according to the initial contract they signed with the former KCC they should continue operating in the city," Luyiga said.

The negotiation meetings signed by the assistant programme engineer Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP), Edward Mukalazi and Pioneer Easy Bus Managing Director, Fred Senoga in July 2010 gave the proprietor a one year plan for the transport sector, the bidder submitted a detailed project implementation plan.

The plan shows a phased introduction of city bus services starting with 100 operational buses within 4 months from contract signature, the contract further reveals that a fully established city bus operation will be achieved within nine months and had to be evaluated by the council.

The negotiations between the authority, Ministry of works and the bidders clearly indicate that they have a five year contract with KCCA from the time of signing contract.

The bidders submitted a revised demand analysis showing a demand 217 buses in the western zone and 305 buses in the Eastern zone. The bidders submitted a detailed plan for coverage of feeder routes by 14-seater minibuses. And they were to wait for KCCA to build the bus stage and on a monthly basis the company was to pay KCCA sh.300,000.

However when contacted the KCCA boss Jennifer Musisi said, "We are waiting for permit to clear them otherwise KCCA technical team is ready to proceed with implementing".

Lukwago was not available for a comment.