The taxi business will soon experience a major overhaul as part of the changes meant to streamline the taxi business in Uganda.
Amongst the new laws being proposed is a ban on individuals from directly owning and operating public service vehicles.
The new proposed Traffic and Road Safety Amendment Act, 2019, will usher in strict restrictions when attaining an operating license.
Public Service Vehicles licenses will only be issued to a company, registered association, partnership or SACCO.
The bill also empowers the Works Ministry to set specific requirements for public vehicles to enter the transport sector. These requirements will depend on the management, financial capacity, size and quality of the fleet.
While tabling the bill last week before parliament, Minister Monica Ntege Azuba, stated that the amendments have positive intentions of the industry rather favouring specific individuals.
“In the course of operationalization, a number of technical hitches and deficiencies have been encountered, making it difficult to ensure full operationalization due to unforeseen omissions and inadequacies,” Azuba said.
Azuba further revealed that the new laws will help the sector kick out drivers with no driving permits, those who drive carelessly and drunk drivers because the licensed company, registered association, partnership or SACCO will be held accountable and risk being kicked out of business.