Mukono Municipality Launches Campaign to Enforce Trade Order

Mukono Municipality authorities have launched a campaign to restore order and ensure a smoother business environment by regulating taxi operations and clearing illegal roadside activities.

The first phase of the initiative includes a crackdown on taxis loading and offloading passengers along roadsides, as well as the closure of unauthorized taxi parks.

All vehicles are now required to use designated taxi parks to streamline transport operations and reduce congestion.

Mukono’s trading environment has increasingly become chaotic, with vendors occupying streets and taxi operators creating unauthorized parking spaces, making some roads nearly impassable.

The disorder has led to heavy traffic congestion and accidents, particularly along key routes such as the Kampala-Jinja and Kayunga highways.

To address this, the municipality has deployed enforcement teams to prevent taxis from picking up passengers on sidewalks, alongside the installation of warning signs to deter violations.

Joseph Semujju, chairperson of Mukono Taxi Park, welcomed the move, noting that the park has been underutilized, with only the Katosi and Kayunga stages being operational.

“Most taxi drivers have been loading along the roadside, which is unfair to those who follow the rules. This campaign will create a more organized taxi system,” Semujju said.

However, some taxi operators, particularly those at the Mbale stage in Wantoni trading center, criticized the new measures, arguing that Mukono Taxi Park is too small to accommodate all vehicles.

They also raised concerns about overcrowding due to the presence of special hire cars and lorries.

Mukono Central Division Deputy Chairperson, Zaidi Sali Kabugo, urged fellow politicians to avoid using the initiative for political mileage and instead support efforts to improve order in the municipality.

“We should put aside political differences and work together for the good of our town,” Kabugo said.

Mukono Central Division Town Clerk, Abubaker Wasajja, clarified that the operation will last for one month and will involve collaboration with traffic police.

Drivers found violating the new rules will face a Shs 60,000 fine or have their vehicles towed to municipal council offices.

“We have deployed uniformed enforcement teams across Mukono to monitor compliance,” Wasajja stated. “We’ve received numerous complaints from landlords and business owners about the disruptions caused by illegal taxi parking, and we are taking action.”

Beyond regulating taxi operations, the campaign also aims to improve overall public order and safety. Authorities hope the enforcement efforts will ease traffic congestion, enhance business operations, and create a more secure and organized environment for residents and visitors.

Municipal leaders are calling on residents, business owners, and taxi operators to support the initiative by complying with the new regulations for a more orderly and efficient Mukono Municipality.