The battle over the Management of Hoima bus and Taxi Park continued on Monday, after Hoima Drivers Forum forcefully resumed responsibilities of revenue collection in the park.
The Hoima Drivers Forum forced themselves back, barely two weeks after their park Management tender was canceled by Hoima Municipal town clerk on March 14.
On March 14th, The town clerk cancelled the contract on grounds that the contractor failed to pay over 68 million shillings to the municipal council.
Hoima municipal staffs have in the interim been managing the park and collecting revenue. But to their surprise when they reported for work on Monday, Hoima Drivers Forum members had already positioned themselves collecting revenue from all vehicles that loaded in the park.
The town clerk ordered them out, but the drivers stood their ground saying they were mandated by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority- to manage the park.
John Atuhairwe, the Hoima Drivers Forum chairman, said Edgar Agaba the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public AssetsAuthority executive director authorized them to continue managing the park, pending advice from the local government ministry.
The struggle between drivers and the municipal council authority prompted a four hour long meeting attended by both parties and security officials at the Midwestern regional police headquarters in Hoima.
The closed door meeting was chaired by the Midwestern regional police commander, Mercellino Wanitho.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, the town clerk Amir Nsamo said the meeting resolved that HODRIFO leaves the park for the municipal authorities to continue their management roles, pending communication from the ministry of local government.
Nsamo also directed the drivers to deposit today’s revenue collections on to the municipal council’s account since its public funds.
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The Hoima Drivers Forum publicist, Geoffrey Tibenda, refused to talk to the press after the meeting.
Hoima taxi and Bus Park have always been a center of controversy over management rights as Hoima Drivers Forum and its breakaway faction Oil Region Drivers Association all claimed responsibility.
