Parliament has directed the Minister of Local Government Tom Butime to issue a statement on the floor of the august house, explaining why Government continues to squeeze taxi operators with multiple taxes.
The matter came up after Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda rose on ‘a matter of national importance’, expressing concerns over the new circular issued by Ministry of Local Government on the management of taxi parks across the country, ordering all municipalities to charge each taxi Shs80, 000 per month.
But Ssemujju questioned motive behind the new orders, giving an example of taxi operators in the city who are already paying Shs120, 000 per month to KCCA.
The Opposition Chief Whip decried the new charges, saying they are bound to push the taxi operators out of business.
Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga backed Ssemujju, reminding Parliament of a petition received by Parliament last week over the charges.
“I received petition we are really squeezing them out of business,” Ms. Kadaga said.
In their earlier petition, the tax operators protested what they termed ‘over taxation’, with Government forcing the taxi owners to cough out Shs28, 000 per seat annually.
They argued that the matter has been worsened by the proposed Shs103, 000 they are forced to pay in ongoing vehicle inspection after every six months, saying although the moves are welcome, they need the fees to be revised.
