Duties at the Busia-Uganda border resumes. Photo: Frankline Bwire

The long distance truck drivers resume their duties after a three days strike at the Busia-Uganda border, a move that had paralyzed activities causing huge congestion in Busia town.

Their action to continue with their work came after their demands were addressed by the Ugandan government, through a letter written to the Busia Uganda resident district commissioner Imran Mulugha by the minister for works and transport James Byandala.

The letter directed that the axle weight weighing method be suspended temporarily until the matter is discussed by the relevant authorities.

In the letter, minister further stated that: “The National Roads Authority should only measure the gross weight for the vehicles entering their country,”

Speaking to West FM, a section of truck drivers said the directive by the Ugandan minister for works and transport was positive, a move that had assured them safety especially as they enter the Ugandan territory.

“We are quite pleased by the action taken by the minister though it is our prayer that the issue be discussed to prevent a similar occurrence in future,” said Mohammed Omar, adding that no one should at the moment breach the East African community protocol aimed at removing trade barriers.

The minister’s orders came following claims by the drivers that the weighing measurement at the Ugandan revenue side for the load was quite high resulting into hefty fines.  

Earlier on the drivers had claimed of harassment by the Uganda Revenue Authority officials at the border, a move they said was affecting the efficient clearance exercise.

The drivers demanded that the weighbridge at the customs be relocated to Bustema permanently to decongest trucks at the customs area and enhance speedy clearance.

Despite the move to resume duty long queues of trucks headed for Uganda and other neighboring countries have to be witnessed, resulting into serious traffic congestion.