Members of Parliament have raised fresh concerns over the management of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, questioning low wages paid to workers, high operating costs and the efficiency of the current toll collection system.The concerns were raised before Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure, which is scrutinising the expressway’s operations and the role of French firm Egis Road Operation.
Committee Chairperson Mwine Mpaka questioned why Uganda continues to rely on a private operator to collect tolls when government institutions could perform the role.MP Nathan Byanyima criticised the outsourcing of services and raised concerns about workers’ welfare, claiming some toll staff earn only Shs500,000 per month despite working eight hours a day.“The young people, the workers at the toll, have approached me asking me to bring their concerns to Parliament.
They told me they are getting paid Shs500,000 a month to work eight hours a day,” Byanyima said.Committee Vice Chairperson William Taylor Tiyo called for the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to take over toll collection, arguing that this would give government greater control over the revenue.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Works officials said the private operator was appointed in line with the financing agreement for the expressway, with toll revenue deposited into a designated bank account.Government is also procuring an electronic toll collection system, with the process expected to be completed by December.Officials project toll collections could eventually reach about Shs2.8 trillion by 2051, raising further questions from MPs about how much of the revenue should remain with government.(For adverts, inquiries news, send us a message on +211929244599)
About the Author
