SIMPSON M
Property owners and traders in Rukungiri Municipality are expressing strong dissatisfaction with the municipal council over the recently imposed garbage tax, which they claim was introduced without their consent.
In a meeting held today at Christ the King in Rukungiri, property owners and traders met with municipal officials led by the Deputy Mayor and Kalenzi Paul, the Senior Assistant Town Clerk, to discuss the new garbage tax along with other concerns.
Tweyambe Robert Baguma Darius, Chairperson of the Rukungiri Municipality Landlords Association, highlighted that in the recent past, unknown individuals have been collecting garbage fees in a manner inconsistent with previous practices. He cited Section 37(2) of the Local Government Rating Act, 2005, which he believes was violated. He further criticized the municipal council for raising property rates from 3% to 5% without notifying them.
Darius also requested that the demand notes issued to property taxpayers be more transparent, clearly indicating the street and plot number of the property. The meeting resolved that the Town Clerk should respond to their grievances in writing or meet with the Rukungiri Property Owners and Traders Committee for further discussion.
Byaruhanga Chrisistom Rwakana, Chairperson of the Rukungiri Business Community, also voiced his concerns, urging municipal leaders to respect the community and inform them before introducing new taxes. He questioned the need for additional garbage fees when the municipality already has two government-provided trucks for garbage collection.
Rwakana also pointed out challenges with the street parking tenderer, whose workers have been placing invoices of 300 UGX on vehicle windshields without the owners’ knowledge and later charging exorbitant penalties. He demanded clear answers to these issues to ensure the municipality is managed according to the law.
A number of traders stated that they are unwilling to pay the garbage collection fees, insisting that the municipality should continue to handle it as before. They also accused municipal officials of failing to provide necessary services, while continuing to raise taxes without their consent.
In response, Senior Assistant Town Clerk Mr. Paul Kalenzi, speaking on behalf of the Town Clerk, clarified that garbage fees are collected only from those who accumulate garbage and that this is done in accordance with lawful resolutions passed by the council to maintain cleanliness in the town. He affirmed that these actions are legal and will continue in the interest of town development.
Kalenzi also acknowledged the concerns regarding street parking charges and informed the attendees that the previous tenderer had been terminated. He assured that a new tenderer would be sought, and they would be expected to follow the regulations.
