Taxi operators have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga over the sale of the old taxi park and also demanded for the amendment of the Transport Act.
In their petition, the operators under the leadership of Yasin Ssematimba, criticise the ’unfair manner’ in which negotiations leading to the sale of the premises were made.
The operators say they were left with no choice but seek the intervention of Parliament after failing to get audience from Ministry of Works and Transport, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry of Local Government.
The operators, who were accompanied by a team of Workers Representatives to Parliament including Margaret Rwabushaija, Arinaitwe Rwakajara, Agnes Kunihira and Charles Bakkabulindi, are also opposed to what they call ‘over taxation’, a charge of Shs28, 000 paid per seat annually.
Further, they argue, the business has been made worse by the proposed Shs103, 000 they are forced to pay in the ongoing vehicle inspection after every six months, saying although the move is welcome, they need the fees to be revised.
The operators also want Parliament to amend the current Transport Act which gives the transport minister power to cancel licenses for motorists if they fail to renew them on time. The provision, Mr Ssematimba said, is unfair.
In response Kadaga promised the furious taxi operators that Parliament will invite them to express their grievances before the Committee of Physical Infrastructure.
