Kitgum municipality approves relocation of bus park to airfield

16 April 2025, 10:38 am

By Otim Moses

Kitgum Municipal Council and the Kitgum Taxi Owners and Drivers Association (KITODA) have unanimously agreed to temporarily relocate the taxi park to Kitgum Airfield before 1st July 2025.

During a stakeholder engagement held in the municipal boardroom on Tuesday, both parties reached the agreement to facilitate the construction of a modern bus park.

The Deputy Town Clerk of Kitgum municipality, Mr Patrick Ocan, noted that the agreement with the current bus park operators has expired, and demolition of the park will begin immediately. He advised KITODA not to wait until 31st May to begin relocation, as doing so may not allow sufficient time for a smooth transition once the contractor begins work.

“No buses will be allowed within or around the construction site once relocation is complete,” Mr Ocan emphasised.

Kitgum Municipal Engineer, Mr Alexis Abonga, revealed that the draft design for the new bus park is complete, with some amendments and reviews already in progress. He explained that the proposed park will comprise three blocks, each with three floors.

Block One will stretch from Inland Restaurant to the main gate, Block Two from the main gate to Small World Restaurant, and Block Three will extend from Small World to Don Fuel Station.

In addition to constructing the new bus park, the municipality plans to beautify the banks of Pager River, enhance the town’s overall appearance, and remove all lock-up shops surrounding the current bus park.

The Mayor of Kitgum municipality, His Worship Ojara Richard Okwera, has appealed to the municipal engineer to allocate 30 guest rooms on the top floor of the new facility as a means to boost the municipality’s revenue base.

He also called for firm action against non-compliant occupants who may resist the relocation to the airfield.