The proposed relocation of all upcountry buses to gazetted terminals in Kampala has been suspended.
Recently, the Transport Licensing Board ordered buses plying the northern and West Nile route to relocate from Arua park in the city centre to Namayiba Bus Terminal in Old Kampala.
It also ordered those plying the western and southern routes to load and offload from Kisenyi Bus Terminal and those headed east to operate from Qualicel Bus Terminal.
On December 21, MPs from West Nile tore the proposal apart on the floor of parliament. They wondered why bus operators were not consulted before the decision was made.
Bernard Atiku, the Ayivu MP, said government and bus operators need to agree on the specifics before the decision can be implemented. Felix Okot Ogong, who owns Felister coaches, accused the Transport Licensing Board of being intolerant to the views of bus companies. He said the board is quick to make rush decisions without consulting them.
Beti Kamya, the minister for Kampala, said she wasn’t aware of the proposed relocation of buses though Kampala Capital City Authority gazettes the terminals and inspects them.
After over 20 minutes of debate, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, directed the state minister for Transport, Aggrey Bagiire, to suspend the directive.
Bagiire pleaded for time to consult with the ministry before pronouncing himself on the matter, which was granted.
He later announced a three-week grace period for buses plying the mid-western, Northern, West Nile and interstate routes. Parliament urged him to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the changes in January.
