MICHAEL N
Taxi drivers and operators in Ntungamo District have appealed to the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to intervene in concerns over daily receipt fees collected from them, citing a lack of accountability from their leaders.
The concerns were raised during a meeting held at the RDC’s office, chaired by Assistant RDC Jimmy Tashobya, also known as Omugogozi. The meeting brought together taxi drivers and operators from various groups, including Abamwe Taxi Operators Association, Ntungamo Taxi Drivers and Owners Association, as well as independent operators.
The drivers, led by Dickson Twesigamukama Rubabanjira and Sekandi Abudal, accused their association leaders of failing to account for funds collected annually. Each driver reportedly contributes up to UGX 720,000 per year, but claims they receive little or no benefit from these contributions. They allege that the funds were initially intended to support members in times of need, such as accidents, bereavement, or other emergencies, but this has not been implemented.
Other drivers also expressed concern over the daily charges imposed at different taxi parks across southwestern Uganda. They noted that despite consistently paying these fees in areas such as Rukungiri, Ntungamo, Nyahinga, and Mbarara, they receive only a small fraction of the expected annual returns from their Ntungamo stage.
Additionally, some operators pointed out that while other taxi associations in the region adhere to established operational guidelines and ensure accountability, the situation in Ntungamo has led to ongoing disputes and unrest among members. They are now calling on district authorities to step in and address the issue, which they say has persisted for several years.
The leaders accused of mismanagement, including the chairpersons of the Ntungamo Taxi Owners and Drivers Association and Abamwe Taxi Operators, denied the allegations. They argued that the funds are used to support members during difficult times, such as offering condolences and assistance in case of accidents.
In response, Assistant RDC Jimmy Tashobya advised the drivers to formally present their grievances in writing to the District Commercial Officer, who oversees associations in the district. He urged them to do so within two weeks to enable proper investigation and resolution. He also cautioned association leaders against failing to provide accountability, warning that such practices could be interpreted as corruption and misuse of members’ contributions.
