Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Rajab Mukombozi,Julius Byamukama
Published on 2024-02-02 12:02:14
Motorists in Mbarara City have become increasingly concerned about the management of street parking, expressing dissatisfaction with the unregulated parking fees and the unscrupulous practices of those in charge. Complaints have been raised about being overcharged and misled by the management of street parking in the city.
In 2017, an agreement was reached between Mbarara City and Woodfix Technical Services Limited to manage street parking. However, since the takeover, many motorists have shared their negative experiences, accusing the management of cheating them.
One such testimonial came from Mr. Wilbrob Mwesigye of Pearl and Nature Safaris, who is acquainted with the violence and extortion of the street parking management. He shared his concerns about being overcharged as there are no standard fees, and the fear of humiliation before his clients makes him comply with their demands. Other business owners, such as Mr. Simon Mwijuka Sezi, the Chairman of Mbarara City Traders Association, have also voiced their concerns about the impact of street parking on businesses in the city. Many businesses have relocated to areas like the Northern Bypass due to the problems caused by parking fees.
According to Mr. Eligio Mukasa, a special hire driver, they had to engage the city authorities to address the harassment and intimidation they faced from the street parking management. They claimed that the authorities targeted new drivers and vulnerable groups, using theatrics for extortion. The situation is further exacerbated by collectors moving into people’s homes to demand parking fees, as shared by wholesaler Ms. Eunice Natukunda.
In response to these complaints, the Mayor of Mbarara City, Mr. Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, has stated that the city is planning to digitalize the parking fees system in hopes of resolving the issues. The intention is to introduce a digital system that will help in the collection of street parking fees and streamline the process.
Mr. Assy Abireebe, the Mbarara City clerk, has assured the public that the plan to have street parking digitized is being finalized. He also emphasized that the current issues with the street parking are not condoned by the city. Additionally, there are plans to reevaluate the street parking management as the current contractor’s contract is set to expire in six months.
The current street parking charging policy involves a fee of Shs500 per vehicle for an hour, with an additional Shs1,000 per hour for two vehicles. Beyond the initial hour, the same extra fee is charged for every subsequent hour. Failure to pay the ticket within 48 hours results in a fine of Shs30,000, and vehicles that default the payment are clamped.
Mr. Nicholas Asiimwe, the proprietor of Woodfix Technical Services, acknowledged the challenges and irregularities in their services and admitted the need for digitalization to reduce such issues. He also defended the management, indicating that some car owners intentionally default on payments.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by motorists and business owners in Mbarara City regarding the mismanagement of street parking highlight the urgent need for a more transparent and regulated system. The planned digitalization of the parking fees system offers hope for addressing these issues and ensuring fair and reliable management of street parking in the city.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
