Taxi operators laud Kisaka for rallying city dwellers to embrace smart city campaign

Kampala – Uganda taxi operators under their umbrella body Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF) have lauded KCCA executive director, Dorothy Kisaka, for her efforts and message towards rallying Kampala city dwellers to embrace the smart city campaign.

The group led by Rashid Ssekindi, the chairman, and UTOF General Secretary Mayambala Mustafa. The appreciation award was presented to the executive director during an interaction on streamlining the public transport sector in Kampala on Wednesday at the Mayor’s Garden at City Hall in Kampala.

The meeting was aimed at formalizing the relationship between the two organizations, and issuing terms of reference on their obligations and responsibilities.

Addressing the gathering Kisaka on behalf of technical team, appreciated the work done by the taxi operators in the city transport system. She expressed the need for streamlining public transport system in Kampala so as to reduce congestion on roads, pollution in the city, and ease mobility of the majority of the people in the city.

She further stated that KCCA’s meeting with the interim apex body of all public transport stakeholders (UTOF), was to find ways of inclusiveness in managing transport in Kampala. “We are staying true to our inclusion stance in the management and mainstreaming of our operations,” Kisaka said.

In his submission, Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago said that as political head of the Authority, he is in support of KCCA’s efforts to organize the city’s transport and traffic. He however asked the taxi operators to remain united and urged them to focus on issues that are developmental and for the good of their job and the betterment of the city.

Ssekindi, in his speech expressed willingness to support the organization of the public transport sector in the city. He also highlighted the problems they have faced since the disbandment of UTODA in 2011, with some people benefiting from the chaos, leading to an increase in lawlessness.

At least 300 taxi operators attended the meeting which is a significant step towards creating a complete public transport network for the city that will show how the various modes of transport will feed into each other, complementing but not competing with one another.

KCCA has already started on streamlining commuter taxi operations by introducing route charts for all taxi stages in the parks and engaging public transport stakeholders through the public transport consultative forum, which comprises of government and private stakeholders such as UTOF.

It is hoped that this will reduce congestion on roads, pollution in the city, and ease the mobility of the majority of people in the city.​