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.

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Parliament has issued an ultimatum to the Ministry of Local Government to issue a statement on the floor of the house, to explain why government continues to squeeze taxi operators with bogus taxes.

The matter came up after Kira Municipality Member of Parliament, Ibrahim Ssemujju rose on matter of national importance, expressing concerns the new circular issued by Ministry of Local Government.

In the new circular, regarding Management of Taxi Parks, the Ministry has ordered all Municipalities across the country to start charging Shs80, 000 on each taxi per month.

But Ssemujju questioned motive behind the new orders, saying that already, taxi operators are 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 the legislators of a petition received by Parliament last week over the high charges.

She noted, “I received petition we are really squeezing them out of business.”

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 move are welcomes, they need the fees to be revised.

The Minister of Local Government, Tom Butime has been ordered to come and explain the basis upon which he reached to issue such orders.

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A team from the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has petitioned Parliament, urging the legislative body to make amendments to the 1964 Red Cross Act that they say is now stale.

Subsequently, in a communiqué to the House, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga informed MPs of the petition, saying the new amendments need to be undertaken so as incorporate current changes like disaster preparedness, which isn’t catered for in the Act.

Additionally, the URCS also wants the Good Samaritan Law, as well as the Disaster Preparedness Commission enacted so as to improve efforts in combating disaster-related challenges.

The Red Cross, whose Patron is President Yoweri Museveni, also took a swipe at government for withholding the Shs200b it used to send to the Society, saying the taps have since closed.

Now, they want Parliament to prevail over the Executive so that these funds are renewed.

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Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, while sharing his first experience in Parliament as an MP, urged his supporters not “to look back for it is just the beginning.”

Speaking to thousands of supporters that turned up at Ssaza Grounds, Kasangati for his victory party, Bobi Wine told the excited crowds that getting he realized that power belongs to the people and not in Parliament.

“The first time I entered in Parliament was when I was as a pupil in my P1 in 1989. I returned to the same house as a big man. Allow me tell you what I found there. Power doesn’t belong to the people there (Parliament). It belongs to you, the people. It’s you with power and MPs can only do things that you tell them to. I wouldn’t be here with you if it weren’t people power. I would be in jail. The reason I am saying all this is because of people power. They can’t touch me because they fear you,” the musician-turned-politician said amidst cheers and wild ululations.

He added: “Let me tell you this; the people you fear are the people who fear you most. The only way they have managed to make you (youths) fear them is by making you drunk. It’s only in Uganda that you can get drunk at just Shs500.”

However, he maintained his message was not aimed at inciting violence or criminality.

“I am not here to incite violence or criminality but I am here to awaken the fearless spirit within you……..So that even if I died or was jailed, there would be thousands of Bobi Wines out there to carry on with what we have started…….I know this is not a simple task. I am going to Parliament as someone who already made some money but they might end up making me poor.

“They might kill me because of my views but I am prepared for this for as long as the future generations can live in a better Uganda.”

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