Workers Representative Hon Margaret Rwabushaija, said that the drivers union was concerned about the varying fees incurred at the borders
The National Union of Drivers, Cyclists and Allied Workers Association has petitioned the Speaker over the high user fees charged at the Tanzania borders.
The team, led by the Workers Representative Hon Margaret Rwabushaija, said that the drivers union was concerned about the varying fees incurred at the borders yet they should be discussed and harmonized as the East African Community
“The user fee is the issue at hand. When the drivers move to the different border entry points to Tanzania, they are charged a different user fee,” said Hon. Rwabushaija
She added that Shs587,000 is charged in Dar es Salaam; Shs30,000 in Bukoba and Shs21,000 in Mutukula.
She further informed the Speaker that while Uganda charges a standard fee of Shs75,000; Kenya, Burundi, Somalia and Rwanda do not charge drivers that transport goods to and from Uganda.
The Vice Chairperson of the Taxi Operators, Mr John Sekyaya, said that taxis also face the same high charge of user fees. He said that for a journey from Kampala to Mbale a driver would end up paying Shs75,000 on the user fees.
“I request that all this money be paid into a government account such that government raises revenue,” he said.
Sekyaya also claimed that money levied from the taxi operators at the different points is divided by members of the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA).
The Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, promised to forward the petition to the Committee on East African Community Affairs for consideration.
“The Committee will call you for a public hearing and all these issues will be raised,” she said.
