UTODA joins cops to arrest drivers
Apr 23, 2008
IN a sudden turnaround, the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA), has joined the Police to crack down on unqualified taxi drivers.
By Chris Kiwawulo
IN a sudden turnaround, the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA), has joined the Police to crack down on unqualified taxi drivers.
This, according national chairman John Ndyomugyenyi, is aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring a cordial working relationship between the Police and the transport body.
“We are now working with the Police to remove unqualified drivers from the roads. The operation is now better than before. Initially, it was high-handed,†he said.
Ndyomugyenyi said they had redeployed UTODA wardens to help the Police arrest taxi drivers without permits and those flouting traffic regulations.
UTODA, Ndyomugyenyi noted, was sensitising taxi drivers countrywide to apply for computerised driving permits.
He said the drive, which began in Mubende and Mityana, would help eliminate bogus drivers and reduce accidents.
On April 11, the association withdrew its wardens from the roads following a taxi drivers’ protest against the Police crackdown.
The Police accused the UTODA executive of inciting drivers to riot and vowed to continue with the operation.
Kampala Extra Police chief Edward Ochom on Tuesday said UTODA had no option but to cooperate.
“I think UTODA officials have now realised the need for the operation. Many people have died in accidents and there is no way one can defend someone with a forged driving permit for instance.â€
This week, Ochom said, the Police were concentrating on arresting taxi drivers without driving permits, those who park wrongly and those using wrong lanes.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, said 17,428 road accidents were registered in the country last year.
A total of 1,326 accidents occurred at night, 5,005 in the morning, 6,703 in the afternoon and 4,394 in the evenings. Most cars crashed in the afternoons, which the Police attributed to heavy traffic flow at that time. A total of 2,334 people died in accidents in 2007.
Of these, 1,003 were pedestrians, 712 passengers, 296 cyclists, 198 motorcyclists and 112 drivers.
IN a sudden turnaround, the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA), has joined the Police to crack down on unqualified taxi drivers.
This, according national chairman John Ndyomugyenyi, is aimed at reducing accidents and ensuring a cordial working relationship between the Police and the transport body.
“We are now working with the Police to remove unqualified drivers from the roads. The operation is now better than before. Initially, it was high-handed,†he said.
Ndyomugyenyi said they had redeployed UTODA wardens to help the Police arrest taxi drivers without permits and those flouting traffic regulations.
UTODA, Ndyomugyenyi noted, was sensitising taxi drivers countrywide to apply for computerised driving permits.
He said the drive, which began in Mubende and Mityana, would help eliminate bogus drivers and reduce accidents.
On April 11, the association withdrew its wardens from the roads following a taxi drivers’ protest against the Police crackdown.
The Police accused the UTODA executive of inciting drivers to riot and vowed to continue with the operation.
Kampala Extra Police chief Edward Ochom on Tuesday said UTODA had no option but to cooperate.
“I think UTODA officials have now realised the need for the operation. Many people have died in accidents and there is no way one can defend someone with a forged driving permit for instance.â€
This week, Ochom said, the Police were concentrating on arresting taxi drivers without driving permits, those who park wrongly and those using wrong lanes.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, said 17,428 road accidents were registered in the country last year.
A total of 1,326 accidents occurred at night, 5,005 in the morning, 6,703 in the afternoon and 4,394 in the evenings. Most cars crashed in the afternoons, which the Police attributed to heavy traffic flow at that time. A total of 2,334 people died in accidents in 2007.
Of these, 1,003 were pedestrians, 712 passengers, 296 cyclists, 198 motorcyclists and 112 drivers.