Team to probe park row

By Catherine Kigozi A special committee has been set up to investigate the ongoing confusion at the Ben Kiwanuka Old Taxi Park. A letter from Kampala mayor Ssebaana Kizito to the Uganda Taxi Operators and Driver's Association (UTODA), said a committee of councillors had been established to discuss the issue and forward the findings to the city council. It said, "For those proposals to be adopted, it will be necessary for the committee to investigate the matter before it is presented to council for discussion. Before the above steps are taken, the proposals cannot be taken as a decision of Kampala City Council." Ssebaana said the council had made no decision for a joint venture with any company to develop the Old Taxi Park. He urged taxi operators to keep calm. There has been confusion between KCC and UTODA over the Old Taxi Park. KCC had proposed a 49-year land lease to Translink Company to re-develop the park into a modern car park. The UTODA administration had vowed to stop paying any form of taxes and revenue to KCC if they leased out the park to Makesh of Translink. They had resolved to fight any foreigners from taking up the park, saying it was the only investment in which Africans were involved. UTODA chairman Hajji Moses Katongole said, "Like Translink, we think we can also get donors to help us re-develop the park," he said. The Movement vice-chairman, Hajji Moses Kigongo, said the Movement would not abandon UTODA. Ends