Kabale Taxi Operators Protest Against Kigali-Rwanda Transporters, Disrupt Services at Bus Park

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Summary:

• In protest, taxi operators vacated the Taxi Park and moved to the Bus Park, where they blocked Cross Country vehicles from operating.

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KABALE: Taxi operators along the Kabale-Katuna road in Kabale District on Monday abandoned work to hold a peaceful demonstration protesting the violation of transport rules and security by the Kigali-Rwanda Cross Country Transporters Company.

The Cross Country Transporters Company currently operates in the Kabale Bus Park located in Mwanjari business center, Southern Division of Kabale Municipality. In protest, taxi operators vacated the Taxi Park and moved to the Bus Park, where they blocked Cross Country vehicles from operating. According to the Rwanda Revenue Authority, Cross Country taxis are neither hired nor rented in Rwanda.

Denis Ariganyira, Chairman of the Kabale-Katuna Taxi Drivers, accused Cross Country taxis of operating a fleet of vehicles transporting people and goods, which he claims denies business to local taxi operators. He demands that Cross Country taxis drop passengers at the Katuna border to allow local operators to gain business.

CUE IN ARIGANYIRA…..ON DEMONSTRATION……RR//

Robert Kabengye, Chairman of the Katuna-Kabale Taxi Operators, stated that instead of providing special transport services, Cross Country vehicles have turned into regular taxis. He added that these vehicles have started operating in many areas of the country, beginning at the Katuna border post, and accused them of loading passengers in Kabale instead of Rwanda.

CUE IN KABENGYE…….ON CROSS COUNTRY VEHICLES…….RR//

Saturday Byamugisha, Chairman of the Central Taxi Park Kabale Town Operator’s Cooperative Society Limited, said that Cross Country vehicles defied Taxi Park guidelines and began operating in the Bus Park, causing anger among taxi operators. Byamugisha noted that despite several attempts to resolve the matter, Cross Country taxi operators have avoided multiple meetings.

CUE IN BYAMUGISHA….ON THE MATTER……..RR/ENG//

Attempts to get a comment from the Cross Country Transport Company were futile as the Chairman declined to speak about the issue.