More than 70 drivers of Zirobwe Taxi Park in Luweero district have protested a decision to award of the park tender to the area Local Council chairman.
More than 70 drivers of Zirobwe Taxi Park in Luweero district have protested a decision to award of the park tender to the area Local Council chairman.
The drivers have petitioned the Luweero Chief Administrative Officer Christopher Kyomya protesting the award of tender to Janda Transporters Limited, which is allegedly run by the Zirobwe Sub County chairman Abdon Mugerwa. The local council official allegedly uses the pseudo name of Abdul Kirwana as the director.
The lead petitioner, Ibrahim Namwanja, says that they have been running the taxi park as drivers under Zirobwe Taxi Drivers Association (ZITODA) for last nine years and were remitting 2 million shillings to the sub county. But in early July they received news that the district procurement department had awarded the tender to Janda Transporters Limited.
Namwanja says the company is owned by Abdon Mugerwa, contrary to Public Procurement Disposal of Public Assets Act which bars civil servants and political leaders of the administrative unit from awarding contracts to themselves.
Another driver, Jamir Kasule, says that since the tender was awarded to the chairman, loading fees have been raised from 6000 to 8000 shillings without remitting welfare fees to the drivers. Kasule says that the high charges are likely to affect their daily profits.
Henry Kizito, a conductor says that Chairman Mugerwa is personally engaging in collecting the fees which is another proof that he has a hand in the tender. He also allegedly intimidates those who oppose the move.
Kizito says that four drivers have been dragged to local courts for being in possession of fake receipts. He cited some of the drivers as Jamir Jjuuko, Isma Baz, Swalek Kataabu and Jamir Kiberu.
Kizito says that if the offices of RDC and CAO fail to cancel the tender and fees they will stage protests and refuse to load any passenger until they address their concerns.
On Friday, the drivers petitioned CAO Christopher Kyomya and RDC Paul Lubowa demanding that the chairman be investigated for breach of PPDA Act.
Kyomya was not available but RDC Lubowa promised that they will address their concerns jointly and persuaded them to remain calm.
URN Reporter tried to call Mugerwa for a comment but his phone was unavailable.
