By Idarus Pajobo


Arua City
Business proprietors in Arua New Taxi Park on Tuesday 18^th, July 2023 stormed the office of the Arua central division Lord Mayor Khemis Muzaid with bitterness towards the Sub contraction of the rental management of the shops and facilities at the new Taxi Park.

The traders bitterly complained about the exploitation by the assumed landlords who charge way beyond the stipulated prices on the councils list.
Eidi Yasin the chairman New Taxi Park traders Union presenting the views of the traders explained the three challenges of exploitation, mismanagement of power and insecurity. “The least person who pays at the taxi park is Uganda shillings 500,000 yet the government rates are only Uganda shillings 300,000.

We now ask why they are telling us to pay Uganda shillings 700,000 or 800, 0000 or more yet the government rates are lower. The shops have been attempted by thieves several times, even that electricity is used by us but why can’t you allow us manage our own power, why sub contract it. Someone picks 20,000 or 50,000 shillings without giving you a receipt for the power payments and after only two weeks the power is off!!!” protested the chairman.

In Response the Lord Mayor ordered the Arua city central division Town Clerk Drakuma Malik to re organize the new taxi park and generate codes for the traders to pay rent areas straight to the division account, straight to the ministry to avoid corruption. He further asked him to arrange for security and schedule a meeting with WENRECO management for immediate installation of yaka meters in each room. “It should be the council collecting money from these tenants not a subcontractor, we must put things in order! Don’t pay cash to any one, pay through the system.

Financial officer, generate codes for these people and they must pay money.it is your responsibility Town Clerk you must organize local security in that place, if I don’t see security men working there I will know that you are not working and I will have problems with you town Clerk. You must organize and collect revenue and you remit 50% to the center, it’s your responsibility, all I want is to see people paying revenue. Schedule a special meeting between WENRECO management, you and me.” The Mayor ordered.

This the town Clark agreed giving glimpse of hope to the traders. “Your worship mayor together with you, we shall reorganize the city. Let’s pray that whatever is taking place here today should be able to bring amicable solution to a better livable city of Arua.” 

The Mayor asked to seat with the sub-contractors in a meeting which is yet to happen, though the traders have now been given the go ahead to pay straight to the council without going through a sub-contractor.

COVER PHOTO: The traders of Arua New Taxi Park in a meeting with the Mayor central division at his office By Idarus Pajobo