By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Mbale City lorry drivers have rejected a proposal to relocate to Kumi Road, citing the city’s failure to remove rubbish and create space for them to park.
The city authorities had evicted lorries from their previous locations and allocated Kumi Road as their new destination.
However, the drivers are resisting the move, arguing that the city authorities have not fulfilled their promise of emptying the rubbish and provide adequate space.
During a meeting between city authorities and lorry drivers on, Thursday, August 29, 2025 at Mbale city chambers, Hamuza Wanda, one of the drivers, stated that they are not ready to leave the streets.
He claimed that the city authorities had promised to empty the market and create space for them within three months, but have failed to do so.
Sam Wete, another lorry driver, appealed to the president to intervene in the matter, stating that they are suffering due to the city’s decision to sell the lorry park where they used to park their vehicles.
James Kutosi, the Mbale City Public Relations Officer, responded that the city has passed a transport ordinance, which empowers them to arrest or impound any lorry found parking on the streets.
He warned that drivers who fail to adhere to the guidelines will face consequences, including arrest and a fine of 1 million shillings.
Kutosi assured the drivers that the city has allocated three open spaces for lorries to park, namely Mpumude ground, Kumi Road market, and Industrial area road open space.
He emphasized that the city authorities will enforce the law and take action against drivers who fail to comply.
