Written By | BK Mugizi
Taxi drivers hold palcards in protest of the former leadership that embezled their money
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BUSHENYI
Transport services were disrupted across Greater Bushenyi today after taxi drivers parked their vehicles and travelled to court amid a leadership wrangle in the Bushenyi Taxi Drivers, Operators and Owners Association.
The disruption came as schools reopened for the third term, leaving parents, students and traders stranded at taxi stages in Bushenyi and Ishaka towns.
The dispute involves the current leadership, headed by Yasin Kyoota, and a group led by former union chairman Muhammed Lukwago and one Ndadala, who have taken the union to court over a claim of more than Shs170 million.
Kyoota Yasin, the chairman of the Bushenyi Taxi Drivers, Operators and Owners Association, said his members were not party to the court case.
"So what has brought us here as taxi drivers is that we have come to show court those people that want to swindle our money, including Ndadala, Lukwago Muhammad, the former leader of the Bushenyi taxi operators union, and other leaders in the municipality. Let them make their own claim. We have heard that it amounts to over Shs170 million. Let them work with court, but as drivers, we don't have any case in court. I am the chairman of the Bushenyi taxi operators, so those who reported to court are not our members and I have never reported to court."
Taxi drivers hold placards at Bushenyi High Court today
Kyoota said the drivers would resume work as their lawyers handled the matter.
"We are getting to work because our legal team is going to settle the issues as we wait for the court decision, but for us, we don't know those people pretending to be leaders of the union."
Richard Kato, a taxi driver, said the drivers were surprised to learn that the union had been taken to court.
"We are supposed to be working for our children as they head back to school, but today we were disturbed after hearing that Ndadala and his team reported us to court, yet for us who drive taxis, we don't know anything about it, and also some people in the council that we don't know. We went to the council offices and they gave us all the documents and our union was properly registered," Kato said.
Kagodi Kabikubiire, a driver and union member, warned that members would resist attempts to take over union property.
"The truth is that the last management has been working so that they can take the vehicle of the union. Three people can't take away something that benefits over 500 people, and whatever they do, we shall fight for our rights and achievements, whether they want us to use force," he said.
Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipal commercial officer Aggrey Ategyeka said those who went to court did not represent the legitimate union.
"Those people who went to court misrepresenting the union — the union is not in court because the interim committee of the taxi union is in place and was elected as a result of the audit recommendations that were read in a special general meeting that was held in March 2026, where the previous leadership had swindled funds totalling up to Shs184 million," Ategyeka said.
He said the municipality would wait for the court's decision.
"We shall wait for the court decision because, since they went to court, the matters that went to court can't be discussed, so we wait to hear what the court will say, but we followed the law, guidance and the requests from the members."
Ategyeka said the wrangle was frustrating the transport sector because drivers and operators were concerned about the future of their union.
"Given the fact that this is a union of taxis, operators and also owners, it is going to frustrate the transport sector in our area because members are becoming concerned about what is happening to the union, because the members that went to court are not the union members, and these taxi drivers were collecting money that bought the taxi, so when they hear there is something that is affecting their union, it disheartens them."
Parents and students were among those affected.
Jackline Kemigisha, a parent, said she had travelled from Kyamuhunga with her two children, who were supposed to report to school in Mbarara.
"I came with my two children from Kyamuhunga to take a taxi to Mbarara where they study. We have been here from 7am to midday, no taxi. Now they will be late for school and I have spent the money for luggage on chapati. This fight should end."
Mark Atwiine, an S.6 student at St John's Seminary Kasese, said the few taxis operating were charging higher fares.
"I was supposed to report yesterday. My school is in Kasese. Drivers say they are in court. We are now forced to be charged double by a few taxis on the road. Where does a student get Shs20,000?"
Audit sparks leadership changes
The dispute follows an audit that found more than Shs184 million unaccounted for in the Bushenyi Taxi Operators Cooperative Union Limited.
The audit was conducted by Dickson Gambamaziima of Dickson Associates and covered records dating back to 2021.
"We got challenges during the audit because the former leadership was not transparent. They told us their offices had been burnt and that some receipts and bank statements were lost, which made the exercise difficult," Gambamaziima said.
"From the few records we accessed dating back to 2021, we established that Shs184m was unaccounted for. The incoming leaders must ensure accountability because members are demanding answers," he said.
The former executive was led by chairman Arthur Mucunguzi and Muhammed Lukwago.
Ategyeka said the former leaders stepped aside to pave the way for fresh elections in line with directives from the Ministry of Trade.
"The audit report showed that the former leaders misappropriated money, so they had to step aside. Members have now elected new leaders who will work with the municipality to ensure compliance with cooperative regulations," Ategyeka said.
He said members could use legal avenues to recover the money.
"It is upon the members to decide whether to go to court or report the matter to police. There are several avenues available to ensure the money is recovered," he said.
Naboth Mujuni, a taxi driver, said members had contributed money since 2021 without receiving proper accountability.
"They told us they bought a drone taxi for the association, but it has never earned us dividends," Mujuni said.
John Nahabwe, the general secretary of the Ishaka-Kasese stage, said members sought intervention from the Resident District Commissioner and businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba to secure an independent auditor from the Ministry of Trade.
"We formed a welfare association and started saving, but we never received accountability. With guidance from Basajjabalaba and support from the RDC's office, we were able to get an auditor who exposed the mismanagement," Nahabwe said.
Johnson Ayebazibwe, a driver at the Bushenyi-Ishaka stage, said each of the more than 100 taxis operating in the municipality contributes Shs2,000 daily to the association.
"We spend long hours on the road, contributing our savings with hope for support during sickness or old age. Shs184m is our sweat and blood," he said.
Kyoota said the new executive had started reforms aimed at restoring accountability.
"These drivers earn little, yet a few individuals shared Shs184m of their savings. We are reporting the matter to police and will pursue it up to the Anti-Corruption Court until every shilling is recovered," Kyoota said.
He alleged that the former leadership collected Shs2,000 daily from each of the more than 100 taxis operating in the municipality, suggesting that total collections could have exceeded Shs200 million, although the audit confirmed Shs184 million as unaccounted for.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the former leaders were unsuccessful by press time as they could not be reached by phone.
