Uganda police sets up towing charges for vehicles, motorcycles

Uganda police sets up towing charges for vehicles, motorcycles
Uganda Police towing a vehicle of LGBT activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabegesera on September 24, 2016. COURTESY PHOTO/L.PAULAT/VOA.

Kampala, Uganda | URN | Police in Kampala have set up costs for towing vehicles that have committed offences or developed mechanical problems on the road.

In the new charges that police have pinned on various noticeboards at Kampala Central Police Station – CPS, towing of motor vehicles and motorcycles in the Central Business District – CBD to nearby police division will cost 30,000 and 15,000 shillings respectively.

Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Policing Area Spokesperson, said police leadership resolved to set up official charges following numerous complaints. Police said drivers were being charged 50,000 to 70,000 shillings towing cars from Kampala Road to CPS.

More than 100 drivers and riders both with private and public vehicles had complained to CPS, Old Kampala and Katwe questioning the rationale being used by owners of towing trucks to charge fees.

Mustafa Mayambala, chairman of taxi drivers, in a brief telephone conversation still questioned why a driver would pay towing costs for a vehicle impounded by police.

Ali Mulindwa said the costs were still high insisting that police should be responsible for towing cars and motorcycles that have committed offences.

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“I feel that is cheating. You tow my taxi away and you still charge me such costs? Such services should be provided by police,” Mulindwa, a taxi driver in Bwaise, said.

The Late Andrew Felix Kaweesi had suspended towing cars parking near police stations. It was after he registered more than 300 complaints about policemen conniving with owners of towing vehicles to charge exorbitant fees.

Of late, towing cars are always parked near police stations and sometimes staged at busy junctions adjacent to police posts. Towing cars are always parked at Jinja Road Junction, Kibuye Roundabout, Kireka, Natete and Busega waiting for assignments from police.