Kampala – Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have contracted Stirling Civil Engineering Ltd and Kiru General Services Ltd to rebuild the Old taxi park.
In a statement, KCCA said that the refurbishment, which kicksatered on Saturday 9th May 2020 will last for three months and.
The statement add that the upgrade will see the current ground surface tarmacked and a drained system installed.
Extensive work on the transport terminal used by at least 200,000 people daily, will also see the facility get lighting and waiting sheds for passengers, sanitary facilities such as toilets, an administration block and a Police Post and also have a designated entry and exit points for both vehicles and pedestrians.
This will include access control for vehicles to avoid queuing on the surrounding roads and congestion within the park.
The statement said the new carpet will have markings to delineate areas for parking and for taxi and pedestrian movements. The boundaries of the park will be retained properly to prevent mud from washing onto the carpet as has been the case.
Public transport operators have already protested the proposed guidelines for boda boda and taxi operations that are to be implemented as the Old taxi park is being rebuilt.
According to the proposals issued by the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Betty Amongi, all taxis in Kampala will register with Kampala Capital City Authority, pay fees to the Authority, undergo inspection every six months and also be subjected to a specific route chart that will be reviewed annually.
Amongi in a letter addressed to the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago also indicated that taxis would stay off the road for an extra 42 days as they reorganize the sector and the park.
Amongi also says boda boda cyclists should operate under smart Boda associations like Safe Boda, Uber, and Bolt among others. These will also have specific areas to operate and not in every part of the town as it has been.
The government also wants to gazette boda boda stages and reduce their number which according to KCCA currently stands at 970.
However, some taxi operators say the government is using the lockdown to kick them out of Kampala.
Andrew Kitaka, the Acting Executive Director says the plan is to improve traffic flow in the city. He declined to give further details saying that Cabinet will discuss the matter next week.
Dr Amiin Kiggundu an urban planner at Makerere University says the plan by the government is valid but rushed. He says Kampala needs a transport system that involves transporting large numbers or passenger, for instance using buses.
Kiggundu however says that the government needs to involve stakeholders and not act hurriedly.
Kiggundu also says that the government needs to have a proper regulatory framework for public transport. He says under that, they should consolidate the regulator of public transport and this he suggests local councils.
Currently, the transport system is regulated under different agencies like the Ministry of Works and Transport, City or Local Councils, Transport Licencing Board and Police.
