UPC Part Spokesperson Sharon Arach addressing journalists
By George Bukenya
Uganda People’s Congress Party (UPC) faults government for poor policy planning and implementation. This follows Ministry of Transport and Works directive to traffic Police to remove all taxis in very poor mechanical conditions.
This has negatively affected travelers for the last three days since operations commenced by police impounding such vehicles. Travelers got stranded on various roads connecting to the city centers.
Speaking to the media in a weekly press conference, UPC party spokesperson Sharon Arach said government planning is always poor because the policy implementation leaves the ordinary people crying, suffering and their standards of living negatively affected.
“ The directive of removing dangerous mechanical conditioned taxi wouldn’t be a bad gesture but its poor planning and implementation leaves the ordinary people stranded and suffering. Even government has vehicles in poor conditions yet it should lead by example,’’ Arach said.
“ Arach further said, “ the operation should be on all motor vehicles, water vessels and motor cycles all over the country but not only in Kampala Metropolitan because all these cause accidents.’’
She argues government to provide alternatives by allowing its institutions to bring their buses on road for public to use in the meantime as taxi owners fix the faults on their vehicles.
“ There should be a comprehensive policy on the transport sector for instance on water, road, railway and Air to overhaul the sector and boost economic activities in the country for instance concerning fare for the different means. One wonders whether the internal Air transport helps the ordinary person because the charges are very high and in dollarsTt.’’
The vice chairman Uganda Taxi Operators Federation, Mustafa Mayambala vehemently supports the operation ‘Ganyegenya’ saying its helps them to give a better service to the public.
“ As a federation we strongly support the operation because we called the owners having received a bank loan in our SACCO to came and borrow at very friendly and affordable rates but many declined by now they wouldn’t be facing such challenges,’’ Mayambala explained.
“ The taxi owner who listened to us they were helped and their vehicles are on the road but we are optimistic that all those taxis impounded will be released tomorrow after our meeting with the Minister of Works and Transports,’’ he said.
According to Mayambala, a total of 180 taxi vehicles have been impounded and parked at different police station in Kampala, Wakiso, and Entebbe since Monday while owners have been pleading for their release but in vain.
Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police Spokesperson SP.Michael Kananura re-affirmed that the operation will be 24/7 for the 100 days.
“ The road crushes in Kampala Metropolitan left at least a total of 1,183 suffering injuries and some lost lives and this is attributed to vehicles in dangerous mechanical conditions on the road,’’ Kananura explained.
He said that according to the ongoing inspection, at least 60 commuter taxi failed the test and are completely unworthy to be on the road.