UTODA defies Govt on extra fees
Jul 12, 2011
A section of taxi drivers on Tuesday complained that Uganda Taxi Operators and Driver’s Association (UTODA) levied them extra charges even after Government suspended the dues.
By S. Masaba, B. Mayanja and T.Bwambale
A section of taxi drivers on Tuesday complained that Uganda Taxi Operators and Driver’s Association (UTODA) levied them extra charges even after Government suspended the dues.
UTODA agents in several city suburbs continued to collect the fees amid resistance from drivers. There was a scuffle between UTODA agents and 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.
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.
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.
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.
Some of the drivers suggested that they continue paying the welfare fees but under a new management headed by their colleagues. Others argued that the fees be scrapped, saying they were not benefited from the scheme.
UTODA officials could not be reached for comment as they were still holding crisis talks.
Appearing on Bukedde TV on Monday night, the UTODA chairperson, Hajji Musa Katongole said the drivers’ body would only halt payment of the fees after receiving a formal letter from the Government. He also denied that the meeting agreed to suspend the collection of the fees.
“We did not agree to scrap the welfare fees and UTODA does not touch it. It was established by the drivers even before we were awarded the contract,†Katongole said. “The fees remain until we get a formal letter that I can read out to our members,†he said.
Normalcy returned to the city Tuesday, after drivers called off a strike that had paralysed public transport in Kampala city.
A section of taxi drivers on Tuesday complained that Uganda Taxi Operators and Driver’s Association (UTODA) levied them extra charges even after Government suspended the dues.
UTODA agents in several city suburbs continued to collect the fees amid resistance from drivers. There was a scuffle between UTODA agents and 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.
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.
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.
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.
Some of the drivers suggested that they continue paying the welfare fees but under a new management headed by their colleagues. Others argued that the fees be scrapped, saying they were not benefited from the scheme.
UTODA officials could not be reached for comment as they were still holding crisis talks.
Appearing on Bukedde TV on Monday night, the UTODA chairperson, Hajji Musa Katongole said the drivers’ body would only halt payment of the fees after receiving a formal letter from the Government. He also denied that the meeting agreed to suspend the collection of the fees.
“We did not agree to scrap the welfare fees and UTODA does not touch it. It was established by the drivers even before we were awarded the contract,†Katongole said. “The fees remain until we get a formal letter that I can read out to our members,†he said.
Normalcy returned to the city Tuesday, after drivers called off a strike that had paralysed public transport in Kampala city.