KAMPALA – Isingiro District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Lillian Ruteraho has questioned the proposed restriction of heavy trucks from entering Kampala’s Central Business District (CBD), calling on government to consider the welfare of truck drivers and transport operators before implementing the planned measures.
Ruteraho raised the concerns while reacting to a motion submitted in Parliament seeking to restrict the entry of heavy trucks into Kampala’s CBD as part of efforts to address the persistent traffic congestion in the city.
The legislator questioned whether government had established adequate parking yards where the affected trucks would be stationed as they wait for the permitted hours to enter the city and carry out their operations.
She argued that restricting heavy trucks without providing alternative parking facilities could create further challenges for transport operators, particularly those who depend on daily movements to earn a living.
Ruteraho also questioned how truck drivers and other transport workers would sustain their incomes if their movements were restricted, warning that traffic management measures should not overlook the economic interests of people working in the transport sector.
She further reminded fellow legislators that truck drivers and transport operators are also voters who participate in electing Members of Parliament. She questioned whether MPs wanted to introduce measures that could turn the very people who voted for them against their representatives.
According to Ruteraho, affected drivers could become frustrated with their elected leaders, accusing them of making their working conditions unbearable and describing the situation as “hell” if their concerns are not addressed.
Her intervention highlights the need for government to establish designated truck parking facilities, provide clear operational guidelines and consult transport stakeholders before introducing restrictions that could affect the movement of goods and the livelihoods of thousands of workers.
While efforts to ease traffic congestion in Kampala remain important, Ruteraho’s concerns put the spotlight on the need for a balanced approach that considers both urban traffic management and the economic survival of truck drivers, transport operators and businesses that depend on them.
