Members of Parliament (MPs) sitting on the Presidential Affairs Committee are contesting the Police takeover of the registration exercise of Boda bodas in Kampala, an exercise they believe should be managed by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
The contest was in reaction to submissions made by the State Minister for Kampala, Benny Namugwanya and the KCCA Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi while appearing before the committee to present their Ministerial Statement for the financial year 2017/ 2018.
The Minister told the MPs that the issue of Boda bodas is a very sticky one and government has now commenced their registration in Kampala through Police.
“As government we work in a coordinated manner, if there is an agency which can carry out an activity, there is no need for duplication of that activity; right now police under the auspices of the IGP is making a census, registration and as KCCA we are giving all the necessary support to that exercise,” Namugwanya said.
The Minister says after the exercise, KCCA will move to gazette stages and afterwards begin collecting tax from the users as provided for within the law.
This was however seen as a move by KCCA to abscond from their dues since they are the body responsible for the management of the capital city.
Kasanda South MP, Simeo Nsubuga said “KCCA should be the lead agency because they are in the leadership of the city, other agencies should give them any support that they need and not the other way round.”
Responding to why the registration exercise is being done by police, Namugwanya noted , “This came up as a presidential directive on security issues after the murder of several people in the city.”
She added that after Police registering, KCCA shall use the data in a multi-sectoral manner.
The Executive Director dismissed allegations that KCCA is currently collecting taxes from Boda bodas operating from the city Centre.