Over 500 taxi drivers on strike in Iganga

Taxi drivers in Iganga today September 21, went on strike protesting the decision by Iganga municipal council to award a tender to eastern taxi operators and drivers association.

Business today was paralyzed as passengers were left stranded along the road sides as the drivers went on strike at the Iganga main taxi park protesting the decision by authorities to award a tender to eastern taxi operators and drivers association (ETODA).

Over 300 taxi drivers who were carrying placards saying "Yazid Muwaya leave park issues now "later forcefully broke into the offices of the eastern taxi operators and drivers association and later destroyed furniture, and other valuables.

The drivers accused Hajji Yazid Muwaya the chairman eastern taxi operators and drivers association(ETODA) a company awarded the tender to collect revenue on behalf of Iganga municipal council and his entire executive of being corrupt, and biased.

According to one of the drivers,Asuman Shafiq ,they will not conduct any business until Iganga municipal council cancels the tender earlier awarded to ETODA.

ETODA has been re-awarded the tender by Iganga municipal council to collect dues from the main taxi park on October 1 this year.

The drivers also accused Muwaya and his executive of selling off a storied building in Iganga taxi park to a business man yet it belonged to Iganga taxi operators and drivers association (ITODA).

According to one of the drivers Isa Muluya , the drivers were earlier charged shillings 5000 as contribution for the construction of the storied building but were shocked to discover that it had been sold without their consent.

"We cannot allow this to happen because the people supposed to guard our property have again turned out to be dangerous "he said

Passengers decided to use alternative means of transport like Lorries, or private vehicles to travel to distant areas as a result of the strike.

According to one of the passengers,Fahadi Musoke said he had earlier arrived in town by 5 am expecting to board the first taxi to travel to Kampala but failed as a result of the strike by the drivers.

"I always travel early so that I get the best quality dresses from Owino market but I have ended up being frustrated "he said

The chairman ETODA,Hajji Yazid Muwaya when contacted declined to comment about the issue.

"Is that news?."We have been having several functions that are news worthy and you don't come and now you are asking me about this use less protest "he said

The drivers also demanded for the immediate transfer of the Central division town clerk, Hussein Kato that is accused of being corrupted

The district police commander Iganga,Nassibu Nditta who arrived at the taxi park accompanied by two police men tried to address the angry drivers but later moved away after they hurled provocative and obscene words at him.

Police simply looked on as the drivers broke into the offices of ETODA just next to taxi park police post as they destroyed all the furniture and other valuables.

The mayor Iganga municipal council, David Balaba when contacted promised to investigate the matter at a later time.

"You see I have been away but I will find out in case I return back "he said

The town clerk Iganga municipal council, James Luyimbazi urged drivers to remain calm as the issue was being handled.