Kigezi motorists task govt on driving licenses

Motorcyclists in Kigezi Sub-region have asked the government to establish new offices to issue driving licences .
Currently, the permits are being issued from Mbarara  which  most motorists say is costly in terms of transport and time.  

Mr Vincent Tuyisabe, a vehicle owner and resident of Nkuringo, Bukimbiri Sub-county in Kisoro District, on Wednesday said he spent Shs60,000 on transport when he went to renew his driving permit recently. 

Mr Johnbosco Agaba, a cab driver from Kanungu District, said he had to travel more than 200km to Mbarara in order to renew his driving licence.

“I spent more than Shs50,000 on transport. If the services were brought nearer, people from Kanungu, Kabale, Rukiga, Rubanda, Kisoro and Rukungiri would be able to access them easily and cheaply,” Mr Agaba said.

Mr Cosmas Asiimwe, a driver from Kabale District, who recently renewed his driving permit at the regional head office in Mbarara, however commended Uganda Security Printing Company for the  efficiency, orderliness, and good customer care. 
The Uganda Driving Licence System (UDLS), which is run  by the Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC) launched its operations on  March 1 after the announcement of the new guidelines by the Minister of Works and Transport,  Gen Edward Katumba Wamala.  Among the changes are  the new 5-year validity for the driving permits. Formerly, permits had to be renewed every after three years.

The Traffic officer in charge of Kabale, Ms Venny Matuka, told Daily Monitor that they  intercept a big number of drivers  with no licences while others had expired permits.

“We have intercepted and arrested many drivers on the Kabale –Mbarara road without valid driving permits. Most boda boda cyclists have knocked down traffic officers on duty in fear of being arrested because they have no permits,” Ms Matuka said.

She  revealed that  cars without driving permits are issued express penalty receipts of Shs100,000 whereas  boda bodas are charged Shs40,000.

Statistics from Kabale Police Station indicate that more than 200 motor offences are a result of people driving without permits.

But the managing director of Uganda Security Printing Company, Mr George Mugerwa, said plans are underway to decentralise the services in the region. 

“We are preparing to bring the UDLS services close to the people. This will involve setting up offices in Moroto, Lira, Hoima, Masaka, Kabale, and Soroti.,” Mr Mugerwa said