Taxi drivers operating in Mukono town have protested stage charges levied by stage guides claiming it was stopped by the president while resuming public transportation services.
During the 14th presidential address on Corona Virus, Yoweri Museveni promised lifting ban on public transport with strict restrictions including passengers and operators wearing face masks, limiting number of travelers, touts and other stage operators who are not drivers.
Though, taxi operator in Mukono town accuse guide masters for returning to stages and forcefully start collecting money from taxis that make stop overs at stages to drop and also pick passengers. Each taxi is required to pay shillings 3, 000.
Majidu Ssali who operates at Namirembe hospital stage Kampala says the situation is still hard for drivers to start paying stage revenue during this period when they carry half of the numbers required to be carried by commuter vehicles.
Ssali says they have addressed their issue to all relevant authorities in the district but they have all remained silent about the matter.
“At Mukono stage, guides who are not even drivers forcefully charge us or use force to ban us from operating in Mukono town”
Bashiri Isabirye accuse stage masters for assaulting him on Monday morning while trying to drive away from the stage before paying their required fee.
“Whenever you desist from paying the stage charges just expect to assaulted by stage masters”
Nevertheless, Kityo Mutesasira one of the stage masters in Mukono town says there is nothing to cause an alarm with the money collected since this has been the stage norm. He notes that the money helps to maintain the stage hygiene during this period and also support the neediest members at stages.
“This is just an incitement by some of the members who have always been against the work we are doing at the stage; they are incited by groups of drivers from Kampala who target managing every stage in the country”
The District Residential Commissioner Fred Bamwiine says leant about the increasing numbers of an authorised people such as touts and big numbers of stage guides returning to stages within Mukono which is contrary to the presidential directive. Bamwiine warns them to stay at home or they risk to be apprehended.
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