The tuk-tuk riders in Gulu city are demanding for their taxes at Lacor trading center to be reduced with immediate effect.
Francis Akera, a tuktuk rider whose stage is at free zone hotel says that they joined the tuktuk business so they could grow but the opposite is what they are experiencing, they pay 3000 at Lacor stage, at the petrol station they pay 2000 for parking, at free zone stage they pay as a team 600,000 per month which is overwhelming.
Akera says that all of them got the tuktuk on loan and weekly they pay 150,000 towards the loan, they now ask that the tax at Lacor stage be reduced to 500 shillings daily that will be fair to them.
Akera also demands that the contract at Lacor be given to the tuktuk drivers themselves who understands their fade instead of outsiders handling it.
Meanwhile Okello Godfrey, a tuktuk rider from bus park stage says that the 3000 shillings at Lacor stage is the one that affects most and besides that they just imposed it on them without consultation.
When contacted, the tenderer at Lacor stage, Walter Komakech said that the tuktuk riders were initially paying 500 shillings per trip, when it was increased to 3000 shillings, they accepted, but if they are not okay with it, they can petition Gulu City authorities.
The town clerk for Gulu City, Innocent Ahimbisibwe asks the tuktuk riders to go to his office for a discussion regarding the matter.
By Becky Ekwany
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