Ultimate Media

Troubles for the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association have worsened with government putting stringent directives against the transport body.

According to state minister for transport Stephen Chebrot, the troubled transport body is supposed to give its full bank statements for the last 20 years it has been operating in the city to the government special committee investigating its alleged financial scandals.

Addressing a press conference at media center, Chebrot says apart from giving its full bank statements for the last 20 years, the government has also asked the transport body to avail it with its accountability statements for the last six months.

UTODA has in the recent past been fighting running battles with KCCA lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and a parallel transport body involving drivers and conductors which recently staged a sit down strike until Museveni met them.

Museveni then directed transport minister to set up a small committee comprising UTODA, state house, KCCA, police, ministry for local government and drivers’ leaders to resolve the drivers’ grievances with UTODA.

The committee chaired by Chebrot on yesterday met at the transport ministry boardroom and resolved that besides UTODA tabling its books of accounts for the last 20 years, it must also stop collecting welfare dues from the operators.

He says the meeting also resolved that any money that is unreciepted should not be collected including payment for new vehicles for permission to operate from any of the stages in Kampala.

He adds that the ministry has also instructed the ministry for internal affairs to investigate allegations of arrests, harassment by UTODA, adding that Utoda has no powers to arrest anyone.

Ultimate Media