MBARARA CITY TRUCK DRIVERS SHAKE TOWN IN STRIKE AGAINST CANCELING THEIR TENDER

Truck drivers in Mbarara City, operating under the Ankole United Truck Owners and Drivers Cooperative Society Limited, have staged a protest this morning by parking their trucks at the Mbarara City South Division offices in protest against the city clerk, Assy Abireebe Tumwesigire, over allegations of improperly awarding a tender for revenue collection from lorry parking.

The drivers claim they successfully bid for the tender in July,2024 and were formally awarded the contract. However, they were shocked when the city clerk revoked it and reassigned it to another group,Mbarara City Truck Owners, Drivers and Loaders Cooperative Union.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting drivers, Badilu Semwogere, chairman of the group demanded an explanation from the city authorities for the sudden revocation of their tender.

Didas Muhanguzi, the City South Division clerk, explained that the group had initially been declared the best-evaluated bidders. However, during the procurement process, a complaint was raised by competing parties, prompting the need for an administrative review.

He added that the city clerk has instructed the evaluation committee to reconvene and reassess the tender for loading and offloading.

Jomo Mugabi told journalists that the city council has decided to suspend the Mbarara City Truck Owners, Drivers, and Loaders Cooperative Union from collecting revenue from lorry drivers. He stated that the suspension will remain effective until the conflict between the two groups is resolved.