A group of suspected criminals known as Kifeesi wreaked havoc at the new Bwaise Taxi Terminal in Kawempe division, Kampala city in a chaotic incident on Monday. The chaos unfolded during a clash between two factions of taxi drivers and conductors, instigated by the developers of the terminal, Kampala Logistics Center (KALOCEN) Investments Ltd, who nominated an interim leadership to replace the existing one.
The former chairman, Francis Nsobya Ssemakadde, and his followers vehemently opposed the replacement of their leadership and reportedly hired the notorious Kifeesi group. The hired hooligans stormed the park, brandishing placards and condemning the developers for allegedly imposing new leaders on the drivers.
The situation escalated as both military and police officers attempted to intervene. Tear gas was deployed to disperse the warring factions, leading to several arrests, including Ssemakadde, who was taken into custody at Bwaise police post and later transferred to Kawempe police station.
The park developers, in a letter to the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators chairman Rashid Ssekindi, announced the appointment of a seven-member interim committee to manage the terminal. Rajab Mukasa, also known as Smart, was appointed as the committee’s leader. The committee’s responsibilities include coordinating relations between the taxi industry and park management, reorganizing taxi stages according to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) route charts, implementing KCCA’s guidelines for parks, and developing a data bank for terminal operators.
Prior to the clash, Mukasa and some drivers had accused the old leadership, led by Ssemakadde, of misconduct and creating confusion by establishing multiple stages both inside and outside the terminal. The drivers operating on various stages, including Nakasongola, Matugga, Mijeera, Luwero, Ssemuto, and Kigumba-Bweyale, alleged that Ssemakadde violated rules by duplicating stages and creating new ones outside the park.
During the altercation, Ssemakadde accused the developers of meddling in the drivers’ affairs, asserting that park ownership did not grant them the authority to select leaders. The developers, represented by a senior army officer from KALOCEN Investments, had warned against ongoing confusion among the drivers, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for the violence that compromised security in the area.
Gerald Tushiime, the Kampala North Metropolitan Police Commander, addressed the drivers, urging them to maintain calm and avoid engaging in violent confrontations. While not taking sides in the disputes, he emphasized the importance of upholding law and order.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the KMP deputy spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of six suspects on charges of inciting violence and assault, with ongoing investigations at Kawempe Police Station.
