Truck drivers at Kyetume village stop Center in Mukono District have protested payment of parking fees at Uganda Railway Corporation inland container depot and bond warehouse.

The government designated the place for long route cargo truck drivers in transit to stay before continuing to their final destinations.

Trucks have been parking in the area for now two weeks before the depot management introduced parking charges ranging from dollars 50 to 100 approximately between shillings 180, 000 to 360, 000.

For two days now trucks coming to the depot have been restricted from continuing with their journeys for failure to pay parking fees which has prompted the drivers to protest demanding for free exit. About 200 trucks are still contained at the depot.

Police, local defense unit-LDU and army officers have been deployed at the depot to suppress the angry drivers.

The Mukono Division Police Commander Abubaker Musiho says as they wait for the government to intervene their only role currently is ensuring that drivers stay inside the depot premises to avoid mixing with locals.

He notes that majority of drivers are diverted to the depot an aware of the parking fees and once they enter cannot be allowed to get out.

Amos Gituri a driver from Kenya says the arrangement for sleeping at the depot was introduced by the government and many trucks have been parking at a free cost wondering why the management is introducing an impromptu charge.

Another truck driver Henry Muheri says they have been using Mutukula facilities freely wondering why it is only at this center that they are charging. He notes that they have been locked in the premises without food.

Derrick Owino another driver reveals that they communicating with their colleagues who are currently at the border points to halt movements to avoid landing in similar challenges after entering Uganda.

The bond manager Ambrose Mugasha has declined to explain what prompted the introduction of charges. Recently, Uganda Radio Network visited the place were and the management complained of delayed disinfection of the place.

Joachim Kizza who heads the health team at the facility notes that the increasing numbers of truck drivers testing positive to Covid-19 and are only intercepted in transit, there is a need to disinfect the depot whenever trucks set off in the morning but the place lack disinfectants.

Over 50 drivers share the same bathroom at the depot but remain disinfected while as causal workers who also do the general cleaning of the place are also unprotected and simple cleaning weighs on the place management.

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PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES EUROPEAN INVESTORS TO TAP INTO UGANDA’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged European investors to take advantage of Uganda’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying investment in productive sectors is key to expanding markets, creating jobs and accelerating economic transformation. The President made the remarks today at State House Entebbe during a meeting with European Union Ambassadors and investors, where he highlighted Africa’s growing population and expanding market as a major opportunity for European businesses seeking investment and stronger economic partnerships. “This is what we have been advising our European friends to look at, because Africa is a big potential market with its fast-growing population,” he said. President Museveni attributed political instability in some African countries partly to identity-based politics, including tribalism, religious divisions and ideological misunderstandings, as well as a failure to appreciate the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He said Uganda had learnt from these challenges and emphasised the need for a stable political and economic environment that enables private businesses to invest, expand production and create employment. The President welcomed ongoing and proposed European investments in Uganda, particularly in infrastructure and other productive sectors, saying such projects would strengthen economic links between Uganda and the European market. “All these projects are music to my ears. By constructing these projects here, you are linking the market of Uganda to that of Europe. Why can’t anyone see that?” he asked. On energy, President Museveni said the cost of electricity remained a critical factor in Uganda’s competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers seeking to produce goods at affordable prices. While welcoming private-sector investment in hydropower generation, he called for greater attention to electricity tariffs, arguing that affordable power was essential for industrial expansion and economic growth. He identified affordable electricity, railway transport and accessible financing for productive investments as key priorities for strengthening Uganda’s manufacturing sector. The President cited the Uganda Development Bank as an important source of financing for businesses engaged in productive activities, explaining that the government had retained the institution to support investments capable of expanding production and creating jobs. He also urged the European Investment Bank to channel more financing into strategic infrastructure, particularly railway development, electricity generation and distribution, and selected road projects. On road infrastructure, President Museveni encouraged European investors to explore opportunities in construction and financing models, including tolling arrangements where appropriate. The President also reaffirmed the government’s support for tax incentives aimed at attracting investment, particularly in manufacturing, and emphasised the importance of enabling eligible businesses to benefit from a 10-year tax holiday. ...

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