Drivers' strike Paralyses transport on Kampala- Masaka route

MASAKA- Taxi drivers plying the Masaka- Kampala route have parked their vehicles to protest what they termed as illegal taxes being levied on their vehicles by local authorities.

 Their demonstration has since Thursday morning paralyzed transport on the highway and hundereds of passengers are stranded and puzzled.

 The taxi operators led by Mr Charles Ssentongo argue  that President Yoweri Museveni issued a directive stopping the payment of daily fees on small businesses which  Masaka District authorities  have failed to adhere to.

 “The president made it clear that we should pay such taxes once every year,” Mr Ssentongo said while displaying the president’s letter to the Masaka Resident District Commissioner, Lt. Joe Walusimbi.

 In the July 27 letter to Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, President Yoweri Museveni noted that informal business groups, commuter taxis inclusive, should not be over taxed.

 “As far as taxis are concerned, it should, again, be one fee for annual licence. Once you have that licence, you should operate without hindrance on the route which you have been licenced for the whole year,” the letter reads in part. 

Mr Ssentongo said other districts like Jinja and Kampala have already complied with the presidential directive.

The taxi operators insist that they would not transport passengers until their grievances are addressed.

The demonstrating taxi operators do not allow any vehicle to load passengers and they have vandalised several vehicles whose drivers tried to do so.

 Policemen and soldiers have been deployed to prevent possible violence as the impasse continues.