Fares double as city taxi drivers strike

THE TREK: City dwellers walk home from work yesterday following a strike by taxi operators. PHOTO BY JOSEPH KIGGUNDU  City dwellers walk home from work yesterday following a strike by taxi operators

By Al-Mahdi Ssenkabirwa & Nicolas Kostov

Kampala

Transport in the city and neighbouring districts was yesterday paralysed and fares doubled as commuter taxi operators staged a sit-down strike.

Although a handful of taxi operators worked, the impact of the strike was felt in most city suburbs as residents were forced to trek to and from their work places.
However, the strike which was planned to continue today, was called off last evening after government promised to address the drivers’ grievances.

Addressing an impromptu media briefing last evening, Mr Mustapha Mayambala, the chairman Drivers and Conductors Central Association (DACCA), said the controversial welfare fee had been suspended and urged all drivers to resume work today.

“Following a meeting with Vice President (Edward Ssekandi) over the illegal so-called welfare fee, we can announce that the fee has been suspended for three weeks while a committee is set up to investigate abuses,” Mr Mayambala said. However, all receipted dues including daily payment of Shs4,500 and 20,000 for KCCA stickers were retained.

The decision, according to Mr Mayambala, was taken during a meeting with Mr Ssekandi and officials from Utoda, National Tax Payers Association and National Passengers Protection Association.

Utoda, which manages public transport in the city, charges each taxi exiting parks Shs4,500 daily and Shs20,000 monthly. The same taxi drivers pay un-receipted fees of between Shs1,000 and Shs40,000 depending on the route, supposedly to cater for the drivers’ welfare.

Earlier in the day, boda boda cyclists took advantage of transport dilemma and doubled their fares. All roads connecting to the city centre were packed with boda bodas, with many carrying more than two people. Hundreds of commuters who could not afford the hiked fares were left with no choice but to walk to work. Most city schools which usually close business at 5:30pm, were yesterday forced to release students a bit early to enable them trek home.

Mr Sebastian Kasita, a trader at Nakasero Market and a resident of Bayita Ababiri on Entebbe highway, said he trekked to work –something that reminded him of the recent walk-to-work protests which were sparked off by the rising cost of living and the runway inflation.

“My home is about 35 kilometres outside town but I had no option but to walk. In fact, this time it was we- the low income earners suffering yet the well-to-do politicians who participated in the recent walk-to-walk campaign were driving to work,” he said.

In Kasubi and Nansana suburbs, a scuffle ensued between drivers and Utoda officers as the former attempted to stop vehicles that were loading passengers-leaving windscreens of three commuter taxis smashed.

In the Old and New taxi parks, business was slow with few vehicles and passengers. Some drivers who worked yesterday said they had to make money to pay the taxi owners. “Some of us drive vehicles for senior Utoda officials and we cannot stay home but within us, we support the cause,” said a driver at New Taxi Park who asked for anonymity so as to speak freely. “Utoda charges too much money and at the end of the day we remain with almost nothing to take home.”

Mr Baker Kafeero, a driver at Nateete -Nsangi stage in the New Taxi Park, said loading a taxi which usually takes 10 minutes yesterday took them more than 30 minutes. “I didn’t participate in the strike but I think it has taken a toll on our business and I think Utoda has realised its mistakes. We urge our colleagues to resume work,” he said of the 250 vehicles which usually operate on Natete-Nsangi stage, only 80 showed up.

At Nateete Taxi Park, also managed by Utoda, the situation was no different. There were few vehicles and several upcountry-bound travellers remained stranded. “I had come for the weekend but all indicators are that I have to spend another night here,” said Mr Solomon Mweruka, a civil servant working in Sembabule District.

Taxis from upcountry routes had to be escorted by police to and out of the city for fear of being attacked by the striking drivers. Although the strike was for drivers and conductors, some Utoda wardens who are largely considered as employees of the taxi body, said the action by their colleagues had enabled them highlight their own suffering too. “I work for Utoda but I earn only Shs2,000 daily. I have no option but to find other ways to survive,” said a warden operating on Nateete –Wakaliga Road. “It is common practice that every taxi that loads passengers from my stage leaves behind Shs500 and by evening I walk home with at least Shs75,000,” he added.