The Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association—UTODA have made a U-turn and joined Kampala Capital City Authority in their effort to manage city transport.
John Ndyomugyenyi, the UTODA national chairperson told Uganda Radio Network that KCCA has opened the doors to negotiation. He says this new move has given the taxi operators to rethink their original stand against KCCA.
Ndyomugyenyi claims that on Monday while meeting KCCA officials, KCCA executive director Jennifer Musisi outlined her plans in developing the transport industry and asked the UTODA staff with the experience to join her efforts.
Ndyomugyenyi claims the plans include using similar resources and assets and working with UTODA in regulating and implementing the city plans on the city taxi business.
// Cue in: “But we thank …
Cue out: … collect that money.”
On whether UTODA plans to push ahead with the court battles against the city authority, Ndyomugyenyi says what is on the table is for the two parties to reach an understanding.
// Cue in: “You see when …
Cue out: … we start afresh.” //
Addressing over 1000 drivers and taxi owners at Nsambya Sharing Hall on Wednesday, Hajji Musa Katongole the UTODA Kampala Branch chairperson, says the outlined KCCA plans on managing city taxi parks seem to have a bright future for the taxi operators, adding the money is to be used in the reconstruction of the city parks, and that KCCA has to depend on UTODA drivers and taxis.
Katongole said UTODA has resolved to sensitize the drivers and taxi owners to pay money to KCCA, reorganize stage management committees, and negotiate with KCCA on friendly payment terms for the drivers.
Alice Muwanguzi, the Kampala Resident City Commissioner is hopeful that the meetings between KCCA and UTODA would develop into a joint venture in regulating city transport.
// Cue in: “Utoda may not …
Cue out: … shall be positive.” //
Utoda has been managing city transport for over two decades.
