Nebbi Municipality Cracks Down on CBD Truck Parking, Private Yards Brace for Business

Nebbi Municipality is preparing to enforce a one-month ultimatum, compelling heavy trucks to vacate the central business district (CBD) and move to designated parking areas. This directive aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve road safety within the town.

The crackdown is expected to significantly boost business for private parking yard operators, who are already expanding their facilities. Shafiq Newanjule, owner of Newanjule Parking Yard, has increased capacity and security, anticipating a jump in daily truck intake from single digits to over thirty.

“We have cleared more space and hired additional security because we expect many trucks once the eviction process starts,” Newanjule stated, noting his current charges range from Shs3,000 to Shs10,000 per night depending on vehicle size.

However, the move has raised concerns among lorry drivers. The Nebbi Tipper Lorry Drivers Association highlighted the ongoing deficiencies at the municipal lorry park, which many drivers were relocated to in 2022. Anthony Ongiera, the association’s treasurer, lamented the absence of basic facilities like latrines and clean water.

“Though we don’t pay any fees, we have lacked essential facilities like latrines and clean water. We had to improvise,” Ongiera said. He noted that the association invested approximately Shs6.7 million in constructing a latrine and connecting water, without seeing a return or improved management.

Drivers worry that the lack of amenities at the municipal park will push them towards more expensive private options. Ongiera urged the council to upgrade the municipal park, including grading, fencing, and improving water and security, to make it a viable alternative.

Deputy Mayor Howard Musa confirmed the council’s intention to proceed with the eviction and mentioned that the municipal park is slated for development under the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) program. He added that enforcement would involve police and UPDF, with non-compliant drivers facing arrest and vehicle impoundment.

The municipality has allocated four acres for a new bus, taxi, and lorry park, with one acre specifically for a modern lorry facility. Residents have long complained about the disruption caused by trucks parking in the CBD.