KAMPALA

THE Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (Utoda) has resolved to deploy over 1,000 security officers to guard taxi parks countrywide to maintain peace during the political transition period.

Utoda Vice Chairman Chris Ssengooba said the guards will be responsible for protecting taxis in the parks, passengers, kiosks and shops around parks.

“Given the situation in the country, it was inevitable to find guards to protect taxi parks,” Ssengooba told journalists at his office in Kampala on Friday.
The development follows recent riots in the city that claimed three lives and destroyed property worth millions of shillings.

The riots were sparked by the arrest of Forum for Democratic Change Party (FDC) President retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, increment of exam retake fees at Makerere University and the government’s failure to recognise Buganda’s federal demands.

During the scuffle, cars were burnt, property looted and some city council assets damaged. According to Utoda 10 taxis and four kiosks around the old taxi park were burnt during the riot.

Ssengooba said the majority of the guards will not wear uniforms and will patrol the two parks and the busy city stages while others shall guard upcountry parks.
“We have deployed heavily. Some guards will move in taxis and others on foot. Drivers should be calm and passengers should feel free to use the parks, everything is under control,” Ssengooba said.

“We have also catered for upcountry towns like Mbarara, Jinja, Masaka, Mbale and others.” Utoda says it manages over 4,000 vehicles in the two city parks and employs over 50,000 people countrywide.

City Mayor John Ssebaana Kizito on Wednesday condemned the riots and blamed the government for failure to contain them quickly.