Nakasongola traders reject relocation of trucks

Traders in Migeera Town Council in Nakasongola have rejected a proposal by district authorities to relocate parking for long-distance truck drivers on the Kampala-Gulu highway, saying the move could affect their businesses.

Residents claim authorities are planning to relocate the trucks to a gazetted parking area due to the increasing number of motor accidents caused by double parking on the highway.

“Migeera Town would have no business if the truck drivers were denied opportunity to park on the highway where they are sure of security for their goods in transit, Mr Godfrey Sseruma, a trader, told a consultative and sensitisation meeting organised by the district police traffic department at the weekend.

The officer-in-charge of the police traffic department, Mr Manyire Adoniya, had earlier told the meeting that the police had recorded six deaths and several people injured in Migyeera last year as a result of motor accidents due to the poor parking system.
However, authorities at Migeera have denied the allegations.

“The allegations that we had already created an area for the park is not true. We know how important the truck drivers are to the livelihood of our people here,” Hajj Abubaker Mukasa, the area councillor, said.

The district chairperson, Mr James Muruuli Wandira, also denied the claims, adding that it could have been possible that the town council proposed a plan on the trucks, which is yet to be discussed and endorsed.