Tension over revenue fees

Tax collection in Lira taxi and bus parks has been done under an association whose term has expired.

Tension is brewing between Lango Regional Vehicle Owners and Management Association and Lira Municipal Council after the formers’ contract to manage the town’s bus and taxi parks expired.

The association, whose contract for revenue collection expired on January 31, has been managing the park for nine months and members have vowed to fight any individual who wants to take over the tender from them.

The association recently lost the bid to collect the park’s revenue to Jamara Company, which, however, failed to take up the tender under unclear circumstances.

Mr Hassan Hussein Ocen, the association’s general secretary, claims that since the first winner did not take up the tender, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act 2003 mandates them to continue with the revenue collection for between nine months and three years.

The association spokesperson, Mr Martin Odongo, said they were surprised when the municipality handed over the park to Eclipses Investments after the first winner failed to show up.

The town clerk, Mr Daniel Christopher Kawesi, however, said awarding the tender to Eclipses was in accordance with the PPDA Act.

But Mr Odongo said the move contravened the new Ministry of Local Government policy guidelines, which states that the sitting tenant who operates in a taxi park, drivers or conductors shall register under an association and shall be given priority to develop and manage the taxi park.

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