Taxi driver, conductor held over discrimination
Jul 12, 2007
THE Police have arrested a taxi driver and a conductor for allegedly discriminating against a man with disabilities.
By Chris Kiwawulo
THE Police have arrested a taxi driver and a conductor for allegedly discriminating against a man with disabilities.
Hussein Kabuye, 39, and Dominic Mukiibi, 23, are accused of denying Fred Mugerwa the right to use public transport on grounds that he would delay them.
Mukiibi reportedly slammed the taxi door in Mugerwa’s face as the latter attempted to board their taxi at Wandegeya stage on July 2.
Infuriated, Mugerwa boarded the next taxi and reported the incident at the Central Police Station.
The case has been transferred to Wandegeya Police Station, where the suspects are being detained.
The Police also impounded the taxi, said Andrew Ddiba, the Wandegeya crime chief.
“They treated me in a cruel, inhuman and degrading manner. We, the disabled, also deserve some dignity and respect. Are we not human beings?†Mugerwa asked.
In a related development, Mugerwa, a law graduate of Makerere University, has also petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission over the same matter.
He wants the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers’ Association and the taxi owner, Swizen Sserubiri, to be punished for not sensitising the suspects about the rights of people with disabilities.
Mugerwa also registered his complaint with Sulaiman Madada, the state minister for disability affairs who condemned the act.
THE Police have arrested a taxi driver and a conductor for allegedly discriminating against a man with disabilities.
Hussein Kabuye, 39, and Dominic Mukiibi, 23, are accused of denying Fred Mugerwa the right to use public transport on grounds that he would delay them.
Mukiibi reportedly slammed the taxi door in Mugerwa’s face as the latter attempted to board their taxi at Wandegeya stage on July 2.
Infuriated, Mugerwa boarded the next taxi and reported the incident at the Central Police Station.
The case has been transferred to Wandegeya Police Station, where the suspects are being detained.
The Police also impounded the taxi, said Andrew Ddiba, the Wandegeya crime chief.
“They treated me in a cruel, inhuman and degrading manner. We, the disabled, also deserve some dignity and respect. Are we not human beings?†Mugerwa asked.
In a related development, Mugerwa, a law graduate of Makerere University, has also petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission over the same matter.
He wants the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers’ Association and the taxi owner, Swizen Sserubiri, to be punished for not sensitising the suspects about the rights of people with disabilities.
Mugerwa also registered his complaint with Sulaiman Madada, the state minister for disability affairs who condemned the act.