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Waziri wa Nchi anayeshughulikia Ujenzi nchini Uganda, Fred Byamukama, ametangaza operesheni kali ya siku 20 ya kuondoa teksi chakavu na zisizotunzwa vizuri barabarani, hasa katika mji wa Kampala.
Kwa mujibu wa agizo hilo, kuanzia Aprili 8 mamlaka zitaanza kuwaondoa barabarani magari yote yasiyokidhi viwango vya usalama, hatua inayolenga kulinda abiria na kupunguza ajali zinazotokana na vyombo visivyo salama.
Byamukama amesema madereva walipewa muda wa kutosha kupeleka magari yao kukaguliwa lakini wengi hawakufaulu au hawakujitokeza kabisa, huku akieleza kuwa baadhi ya teksi zipo katika hali mbaya kiasi cha kutumia kamba na hata gundi kushikilia sehemu zake.
Aidha, amewataka madereva kote nchini kupeleka magari yao kwenye vituo maalum vya ukaguzi, akionya kuwa watakaokaidi agizo hilo watakamatwa kwa kushirikiana na polisi wa usalama barabarani.
Hata hivyo, baadhi ya viongozi wa madereva wa teksi wameunga mkono hatua hiyo lakini wakakosoa kutoshirikishwa kabla ya utekelezaji. Mwenyekiti wa Shirikisho la Waendesha Teksi Uganda, Rhasid Ssekindi, amesema madereva wengi hawajapatiwa elimu ya kutosha kuhusu mabadiliko hayo.
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Passengers in Uganda, particularly in Kampala, could soon enjoy safer and cleaner public transport after the government announced a sweeping crackdown targeting old and poorly maintained taxis blamed for endangering commuters.
Under a 20-day directive issued yesterday by Works State Minister Fred Byamukama, authorities will begin removing unroadworthy taxis from the streets starting April 8.
The move aims to protect passengers and reduce the rising number of road accidents linked to unsafe vehicles.
Mr Byamukama said it is time for all taxi drivers to ensure their vehicles meet safety standards, emphasising the directive is intended to reduce accidents.
“From April 8, we do not expect any old taxis on the roads. We gave owners enough time to bring their cars for inspection, yet the majority have not passed the test,” Mr Byamukama declared.
He noted that many vehicles in poor condition have repeatedly failed to report for inspection despite warnings.
“There are taxis we don’t really need on the roads. You find vehicles full of ropes in front, back, and inside. Others use super glue to support the seats,” he said.
“Some are dusty, dirty, and emit bad smells. We want to protect passengers from this mess,” he added.
The minister urged all taxi drivers across Uganda to take their vehicles for inspection at designated centres to avoid violating traffic regulations.
“All taxis that defy the directive will be apprehended. The operation will be carried out in cooperation with the traffic police. Hundreds of unfit taxis are expected to be removed from Kampala streets, leaving only roadworthy vehicles for commuters,” he said.
Taxi leaders welcomed the move but criticised the plan for not engaging key stakeholders. Mr Rhasid Ssekindi, the chairperson of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation, supported the safety initiative but challenged the minister for not consulting drivers.
“I am learning about this from the media. Our drivers are not sensitised about the directive. Drivers must understand the dangers and be prepared for the way forward,” Mr Ssekindi said.
Mr Moses Balagadde, the secretary of defence at Busabala-Kategula stage, Makindye Division, echoed the concern.
“There is nothing a minister will lose by organising seminars for taxi drivers. When the president appoints a minister, they must reach where the president cannot. We must be involved as key stakeholders,” he said.
The directive signals the government’s commitment to improving public transport safety, ensuring only roadworthy taxis operate on Uganda’s roads.
Source: Daily Monitor
Kwa mujibu wa agizo hilo, kuanzia Aprili 8 mamlaka zitaanza kuwaondoa barabarani magari yote yasiyokidhi viwango vya usalama, hatua inayolenga kulinda abiria na kupunguza ajali zinazotokana na vyombo visivyo salama.
Byamukama amesema madereva walipewa muda wa kutosha kupeleka magari yao kukaguliwa lakini wengi hawakufaulu au hawakujitokeza kabisa, huku akieleza kuwa baadhi ya teksi zipo katika hali mbaya kiasi cha kutumia kamba na hata gundi kushikilia sehemu zake.
Aidha, amewataka madereva kote nchini kupeleka magari yao kwenye vituo maalum vya ukaguzi, akionya kuwa watakaokaidi agizo hilo watakamatwa kwa kushirikiana na polisi wa usalama barabarani.
Hata hivyo, baadhi ya viongozi wa madereva wa teksi wameunga mkono hatua hiyo lakini wakakosoa kutoshirikishwa kabla ya utekelezaji. Mwenyekiti wa Shirikisho la Waendesha Teksi Uganda, Rhasid Ssekindi, amesema madereva wengi hawajapatiwa elimu ya kutosha kuhusu mabadiliko hayo.
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Passengers in Uganda, particularly in Kampala, could soon enjoy safer and cleaner public transport after the government announced a sweeping crackdown targeting old and poorly maintained taxis blamed for endangering commuters.
Under a 20-day directive issued yesterday by Works State Minister Fred Byamukama, authorities will begin removing unroadworthy taxis from the streets starting April 8.
The move aims to protect passengers and reduce the rising number of road accidents linked to unsafe vehicles.
Mr Byamukama said it is time for all taxi drivers to ensure their vehicles meet safety standards, emphasising the directive is intended to reduce accidents.
“From April 8, we do not expect any old taxis on the roads. We gave owners enough time to bring their cars for inspection, yet the majority have not passed the test,” Mr Byamukama declared.
He noted that many vehicles in poor condition have repeatedly failed to report for inspection despite warnings.
“There are taxis we don’t really need on the roads. You find vehicles full of ropes in front, back, and inside. Others use super glue to support the seats,” he said.
“Some are dusty, dirty, and emit bad smells. We want to protect passengers from this mess,” he added.
The minister urged all taxi drivers across Uganda to take their vehicles for inspection at designated centres to avoid violating traffic regulations.
“All taxis that defy the directive will be apprehended. The operation will be carried out in cooperation with the traffic police. Hundreds of unfit taxis are expected to be removed from Kampala streets, leaving only roadworthy vehicles for commuters,” he said.
Taxi leaders welcomed the move but criticised the plan for not engaging key stakeholders. Mr Rhasid Ssekindi, the chairperson of the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation, supported the safety initiative but challenged the minister for not consulting drivers.
“I am learning about this from the media. Our drivers are not sensitised about the directive. Drivers must understand the dangers and be prepared for the way forward,” Mr Ssekindi said.
Mr Moses Balagadde, the secretary of defence at Busabala-Kategula stage, Makindye Division, echoed the concern.
“There is nothing a minister will lose by organising seminars for taxi drivers. When the president appoints a minister, they must reach where the president cannot. We must be involved as key stakeholders,” he said.
The directive signals the government’s commitment to improving public transport safety, ensuring only roadworthy taxis operate on Uganda’s roads.
Source: Daily Monitor
