KIGALI - Kigali City Council (KCC) has dismissed reports that it has banned taxi motorcycle operators from working beyond 10 p.m.

News reports referred to an existing bylaw, although city officials said the rules were not in force.

Since last weekend, Kigali motorcyclists were notably shunning to operate from the city centre after 10p.m, citing fears of arrest in breach of the restricted time.

But the head of communication at KCC, Bruno Rangira, told The New Times that the rumour originated from misinformation on the part of the media with regard to the city’s bylaws on road safety.

"It’s true there are bylaws about the city’s road safety which were gazzetted in 2008, including the one that forbids motorcyclists from working before 5a.m and after 10p.m. But, that provision is not enforced at the moment,” he explained.

Rangira said the bylaws in question were overruled, in 2008, when the Chief of Traffic Police permitted motorcyclists to work for 24 hours.

"The law was aimed at ensuring the security of road users at night, including motorcyclists, many of whom were killed and their motorcycles stolen around that time. But the Chief of Traffic Police permitted them to operate any time in line with the 24/7 working policy.”

The Traffic Police chief, Police Twahirwa, also dispelled claims among members of the public and assured motorcycle operators that their motorbikes will not be impounded for working beyond any hours.

Dieudonne Sibomana, a motorcyclist, advised that the bylaws be fully scrapped, although they were not in force.

"Why should this law remain in place if it has been found unnecessary? Why shouldn’t they remove it to eliminate whatever confusion and doubts that arise?”

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