Mr. Hirome (Principal Assistant Secretary) addressing drivers at the Vehicle Management, Defensive Driving
More than 50 Judiciary drivers attended a two-day exercise on defensive driving, customer care, and vehicle management.
While flagging off the training, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to Judiciary, Mr Pius Bigirimana, stressed the importance of drivers in the Judiciary.
During the training, members of the Judiciary Senior Management discussed with the drivers the issues affecting them.
The head of the drivers, Mr Musanza Stephen, presented some of the challenges they face in executing their duties, which included; meagre salary, welfare, and working overtime. Other issues included the non-payment of disturbance allowances, consolidated funds and other payments from training, abrupt travels and lack of shelter at the Judiciary headquarters.
He requested that both sides always be accorded a chance to air out their side of the story in case of misunderstandings with their bosses.
In response, the PS/SJ noted that since he joined the Judiciary, Management had improved the drivers consolidated allowances to eight nights monthly to enable them to meet the ever-rising expenses such as transportation costs in the course of their duties.
However, the PS cautioned that where drivers are engaged in running their bosses' personal errands, they (the bosses) should meet their allowances.
Mr Bigirimana urged the drivers to have respect for their bosses. "You should learn how to respect your bosses, do not become antagonistic unnecessarily," he said.
He also warned the drivers against disrespecting other road users and end up causing accidents. "Anyone who causes an accident and it is found that the driver was reckless, careless or under the influence of alcohol, I will have you interdicted. You will also pay for the accident you caused either through deducting your allowances or attaching your salary," he warned.
He advised the drivers against engaging or mismanaging vehicles for personal use, such as carrying firewood, animals, liquor or people to social events lest they attract heavy sanctions.
The PS warned against absconding from work and urged the drivers always to inform their bosses when unable to report to work.
The PS/SJ also instructed the transport officer to devise means on how to facilitate all drivers for the washing of their vehicles so that they are kept clean and tidy at all times.
On a temporary shelter at the Judiciary headquarters, the drivers were urged to bear inconveniences until the new buildings are completed.
The PS applauded the facilitators for training and skilling the drivers and said that the training was done in a phased manner because ofCOVID-19.
He, however, promised that all drivers in the Judiciary would undergo similar training to enhance their skills.
The Ag. Commissioner Human Resource, Ms Apophia N. Tumwine, presented on terms and conditions of service and advised the participants always to follow the rules and regulations that govern their offices.
The facilitators included officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Motor Care and Vivo Energy.
Posted 6th, April 2021
