JINJA, Uganda — Operations at Kiyembe Taxi Stage along Clive Road West in Jinja City were disrupted after taxi operators clashed with city enforcement officers who had moved to evict them over a directive banning roadside taxi stages.
The confrontation involved members of the Kampala Stage ‘C’ Drivers Association, led by their chairperson Sulaiman Mwanje, and Jinja City Council enforcement officials who arrived at the stage accompanied by police and army personnel.
The enforcement team, led by an officer identified as Sowaali, was implementing a city directive requiring all taxi operators to stop loading passengers from roadside stages and instead operate from the main Jinja Taxi Park.
However, the drivers resisted the eviction, arguing that Kiyembe Stage is a recognised and legally established stage that has served the community for decades.
The disagreement created tension, with business temporarily affected as taxi operators and authorities exchanged opposing views over the directive.
The latest incident follows an earlier confrontation between the two sides last week, prompting the matter to be referred to the Jinja Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Salim Komakech, who had earlier given the drivers a two-week period to prepare for relocation.
When the deadline expired without the drivers leaving the stage, city authorities returned on July 15, 2026, to enforce the directive.
Following the standoff, taxi leaders sought intervention from the RCC’s office, where an emergency meeting was held involving the Jinja City Police Commander, the District Internal Security Officer, and taxi leaders.
During the meeting, the drivers were granted an additional 21 days — until August 13, 2026 — to continue operating at Kiyembe and Mbiko stages as they organise themselves and decide whether to permanently remain or relocate to the main taxi park.
Kiyembe Stage Chairperson Sulaiman Mwanje confirmed the agreement, saying the stage has existed for about 40 years and urged drivers to maintain peace while discussions continue.
“We have been given 21 days to continue operating as we finalise our plans,” Mwanje said.
Meanwhile, Mbiko Stage Chairperson Kasimu Vvumbe said the drivers do not oppose the city’s trade order but need time to prepare for the transition. He said the two stages have about 250 taxi operators who depend on the locations for their livelihood.
RCC Komakech said the government directive must eventually be followed but expressed confidence that the transition would be handled peacefully.
After the meeting, the drivers removed more than 20 taxis that had been parked outside the RCC’s office and returned to their respective stages to resume normal operations as they await the expiry of the 21-day grace period.
