Brokers Jobless after Relocation of Buses

Several youths working in Arua Park in Kampala have been left unemployed following the relocation of bus terminals.

In December last year, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) relocated several bus operators on northern Uganda routes to Namayiba Park behind Kisekka market in Old Kampala from Arua Bus park, Kisenyi Bus park and Qualicel Terminal.

Now over 500 youths working in Arua Park as brokers say they are unemployed ever since the buses were moved away.The youths lobbied passengers and loaded merchandise in the different buses like Gaagaa, KK coaches, Baby Coach and Zawadi among others.

Staphen Jakwonga, one of the brokers says he has been at Arua park for the past five years. He says relocating the buses has crippled his source of livelihood, adding that Government should help reorganise the brokers or have the buses returned.

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Andama Musema, another broker states that they cannot migrate to the new bus terminal in Namayiba since there is already other people there doing the same work. He says attempts to go there have ended in chaos.

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Jakisa Muhammed, says the terminal in Arua Park has been there since the 1980s and relocating it is in the interest of an investor of the private terminals.

Swali Atiku, who works with Nile Coaches says the major challenge now is getting customers to the buses.

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The Minister of Kampala Beti Kamya, who was today touring the bus terminals, stated that they found out various challenges adding that the major aim of the new direction on buses is meant to decongest the city.

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