Bus and taxi drivers ready to start operations at new Kotido park

7 February 2025, 2:58 pm

By Stanley Ebele

As the deadline approaches for the recent business order requiring bus and taxi operators in Kotido Municipal Council to begin operations at the new park, there is a positive indication from the drivers that they are ready to comply.

According to Town Clerk Emmanuel Okaja, all bus and taxi drivers, effective from 1 February 2025, must load and offload passengers at the taxi park built and gazetted by the authorities of Kotido Municipality several years ago to bring order to the transport sector.

Currently, bus and taxi operators are scattered across various areas of the town, loading passengers on the roads, a situation that has caused accidents and disrupted public transport for several years.

Now, the drivers and loaders, through their respective drivers’ and brokers’ associations, have welcomed the long-awaited development, which will allow bus and taxi drivers to work in harmony.

Juma Lochung, the vice-chairperson of the Kotido Brokers’ Association, said they have been eagerly awaiting the establishment of a dedicated taxi park in Kotido, as picking up passengers from un-gazetted areas has posed numerous challenges. He noted that passengers were often taken by private vehicles because they load along the highway. Lochung believes that relocating all operators to a centralised location will make their work much easier. Other workers in the transport sector share the same sentiment.

Nakal Okello, the Manager of HMK Bus Company, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Kotido Taxi Drivers’ Association, stated that they have no further concerns after the Municipality addressed most of their demands.

The drivers had requested the authorities to address the need for a toilet facility, improve drainage, and enhance security in the park.

Our reporter notes that the park is now nearly enclosed with lock-up units, equipped with flush toilets, security lights, a passenger waiting shed, and some services in place.

A section of passengers has also expressed the need for a bus park to bring orderliness and provide more services to passengers and those employed in the transport sector. Deo Loduk, a passenger travelling to Moroto, explains.