Masaka Lorry Drivers Succumb to Pressure, Vacate Mayor’s Garden

At least 300 lorry drivers have finally been evicted from the mayor's garden to pave way for its redevelopment.

Yesterday, we reported how on Tuesday, the mayor of Masaka Godfrey Kayemba Afaayo narrowly survived lynching from the angry drivers who had insisted on remaining in the gardens, even after Masaka municipality early this year, allocated it to Moses Kaliisa Muto, a businessman for the construction of a shopping mall at the tune of Shillings 1.5 billion.

Angry drivers faulted the municipality for selling off the land without allocating them alternative land to operate from. They vowed not to leave prompting Kayemba to convene a meeting with the Town Clerk, Paul Omoko, his deputy, Edward Gwavu Kiwanuka and other stakeholders to resolve the matter.

During the meeting, it was resolved that the drivers relocate to Bukoyolo near the National Water and Sewarage treatment plant, a proposal the drivers rejected citing the foul smell from the plant. However, on Wednesday evening, Kaliisa managed to fence off the Mayor's gardens enclosing several vehicles in the gardens.

Now, several drivers were this morning seen driving away their vehicles. They parked them along Edward venue and Victoria Street in Katwe-Butego division. Daniel Mugula, the Treasurer Masaka Lorry Driver's Association, says they decided to relocate their vehicles to the streets until the municipality finds them a decent place to operate from.

He says they have rejected all the alternative venues offered by the municipality because of safety concerns. He also says they declined to enter the main taxi park for fear of clashing with taxi drivers.