Tororo and Malaba Taxi Operators Disrupt Services Over Unregistered Vehicles

Transport services in Tororo and Malaba were brought to a standstill on Wednesday as taxi operators launched a protest against the proliferation of unregistered vehicles in the public transport sector. The demonstration, organized by the Malaba Taxi Operators Association (MATOA) and the Tororo Taxi Operators Association, led to significant travel disruptions and stranded hundreds of commuters at major taxi parks.

Aggrieved drivers marched to the Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office, demanding urgent government intervention. They highlighted the unfair competition posed by unlicensed vehicles, including numberless cars, transit trucks, and lorries, which they claim operate outside regulatory frameworks, bypass fees, and evade taxes.

“Unlicensed vehicles bypass regulatory fees, evade security and tax compliance, create unfair competition, and above all, pose a serious safety and crime risk to commuters,” stated Silver Kanyole, MATOA Spokesperson. This influx has severely impacted legitimate operators, with some reporting a drastic drop in daily passengers.

Mohamed Mwima, Chairperson of the Tororo Taxi Operators Association, explained that unregistered vehicles often charge lower fares because they do not incur the costs associated with permits, route charts, and insurance that registered taxis must pay. This has made it increasingly difficult for licensed operators to compete.

Beyond economic concerns, operators voiced serious security worries. Peter Madoi, a taxi driver, accused traffic police of lax enforcement, suggesting that unregistered vehicles, including cargo trucks carrying passengers, are being used for illegal activities like human trafficking. He noted that these vehicles often pass through checkpoints without proper scrutiny.

The operators are now calling for stringent enforcement of transport regulations to ensure that only registered commuter taxis with valid permits and insurance are allowed to operate in passenger transport.

Services only resumed after the district security committee intervened. Tororo RDC Hajj Sadiq Bategana acknowledged the operators’ grievances but cautioned against illegal road blockades, assuring that patrols would be intensified to apprehend unlicensed drivers and urging the public to report such violations.