UTODA still collecting extra fees
Jul 13, 2011
AGENTS of the Uganda Taxi Owners and Drivers Association (UTODA) yesterday defied a government directive suspending un-receipted fees levied by the drivers’ body.
By Taddeo Bwambale, Brian Mayanja and Simon Masaba
AGENTS of the Uganda Taxi Owners and Drivers Association (UTODA) yesterday defied a government directive suspending un-receipted fees levied by the drivers’ body.
The Government halted payment of the fees for three weeks on Monday, following a strike by some of the drivers protesting the fees.
When New Vision visited the taxi parks yesterday, several drivers disclosed that UTODA agents were collecting the fees unabated.
A scuffle ensued between UTODA agents and taxi drivers at the Makindye stage in the Old Taxi Park and at Cooper Complex outside the park, as drivers refused to pay the welfare fees.
Operators of taxis destined for Mulago were still paying the usual welfare fee of sh3,500 for each trip, while those headed for Kasawo, Mukono district were parting with up to sh15,000.
Those who refused to pay the loading fees were ordered to get out of the taxi park.
At the City Square stage, UTODA officials were still charging between sh2,000 and sh4,000 for Jinja Road-bound taxis, depending on the destination.
Most of the drivers said they supported the payment of the welfare fees, but proposed a review of the scheme to ensure transparency.
Others argued that the fees should be scrapped, saying they had not benefitted from collecting it.
Mustapha Kalanzi, a driver at Nakawa stage, said: “We support the welfare fees, but that money should be collected by drivers, not UTODA agents.â€
Muhammed Sentongo, a driver at Makindye stage, said: “We love UTODA and we are not against them, but we are opposed to the harsh way they treat us,†he said.
UTODA agents at the Nakawa Taxi Park were still charging the welfare fee of sh2,000 for city-bound taxis.
UTODA chairperson Hajji Musa Katongole denied that UTODA was responsible for collecting the fees. He said money was being collected by the drivers themselves.
Katongole made the remarks while appearing on Bukedde TV on Monday night. He also denied agreeing to suspend collection of the welfare fees.
“UTODA does not touch the welfare fees because it was established by the drivers, way before we were awarded the contract,†Katongole said.
The official receipted charges include sh4,500 paid by each taxi daily and sh20,000 paid monthly for Kampala City Council stickers.
In Mukono municipality, taxi drivers from Seeta town yesterday stormed the office of the resident district commissioner, John Fisher Kasenge, opposing the collection the fees.
The drivers parked their vehicles outside Kasenge’s office and demanded the release of their colleagues who were arrested by the Police during Monday’s strike.
The drivers, led by Mutesasira Kityo, accused UTODA officials of conniving with the officer in charge of Seeta Police Station, Gaston Twinamasiko, to arrest their colleagues.
Those detained included Rogers Kasozi, Rogers Mudaaki, Umar Ssevume, Abubakhar Nsubuga, Sula Muwonge and Simon Ariku. They appeared in court on Monday, but were denied bail and remanded to Kauga Prison.
The drivers petitioned the deputy RDC, Yahaya Were, to halt payment of the fees. They also asked him to help them release their colleagues who were reportedly accused of refusing to work during the strike.
Yahya promised to talk to the UTODA officials and the Police to resolve the matter.
By press time, President Yoweri Museveni was still meeting taxi drivers at State House Entebbe.
Additional reporting by Justine Kirabo and Henry Nsubuga
AGENTS of the Uganda Taxi Owners and Drivers Association (UTODA) yesterday defied a government directive suspending un-receipted fees levied by the drivers’ body.
The Government halted payment of the fees for three weeks on Monday, following a strike by some of the drivers protesting the fees.
When New Vision visited the taxi parks yesterday, several drivers disclosed that UTODA agents were collecting the fees unabated.
A scuffle ensued between UTODA agents and taxi drivers at the Makindye stage in the Old Taxi Park and at Cooper Complex outside the park, as drivers refused to pay the welfare fees.
Operators of taxis destined for Mulago were still paying the usual welfare fee of sh3,500 for each trip, while those headed for Kasawo, Mukono district were parting with up to sh15,000.
Those who refused to pay the loading fees were ordered to get out of the taxi park.
At the City Square stage, UTODA officials were still charging between sh2,000 and sh4,000 for Jinja Road-bound taxis, depending on the destination.
Most of the drivers said they supported the payment of the welfare fees, but proposed a review of the scheme to ensure transparency.
Others argued that the fees should be scrapped, saying they had not benefitted from collecting it.
Mustapha Kalanzi, a driver at Nakawa stage, said: “We support the welfare fees, but that money should be collected by drivers, not UTODA agents.â€
Muhammed Sentongo, a driver at Makindye stage, said: “We love UTODA and we are not against them, but we are opposed to the harsh way they treat us,†he said.
UTODA agents at the Nakawa Taxi Park were still charging the welfare fee of sh2,000 for city-bound taxis.
UTODA chairperson Hajji Musa Katongole denied that UTODA was responsible for collecting the fees. He said money was being collected by the drivers themselves.
Katongole made the remarks while appearing on Bukedde TV on Monday night. He also denied agreeing to suspend collection of the welfare fees.
“UTODA does not touch the welfare fees because it was established by the drivers, way before we were awarded the contract,†Katongole said.
The official receipted charges include sh4,500 paid by each taxi daily and sh20,000 paid monthly for Kampala City Council stickers.
In Mukono municipality, taxi drivers from Seeta town yesterday stormed the office of the resident district commissioner, John Fisher Kasenge, opposing the collection the fees.
The drivers parked their vehicles outside Kasenge’s office and demanded the release of their colleagues who were arrested by the Police during Monday’s strike.
The drivers, led by Mutesasira Kityo, accused UTODA officials of conniving with the officer in charge of Seeta Police Station, Gaston Twinamasiko, to arrest their colleagues.
Those detained included Rogers Kasozi, Rogers Mudaaki, Umar Ssevume, Abubakhar Nsubuga, Sula Muwonge and Simon Ariku. They appeared in court on Monday, but were denied bail and remanded to Kauga Prison.
The drivers petitioned the deputy RDC, Yahaya Were, to halt payment of the fees. They also asked him to help them release their colleagues who were reportedly accused of refusing to work during the strike.
Yahya promised to talk to the UTODA officials and the Police to resolve the matter.
By press time, President Yoweri Museveni was still meeting taxi drivers at State House Entebbe.
Additional reporting by Justine Kirabo and Henry Nsubuga