Kampala, Uganda – In a significant escalation of frustrations among motorists, Nicolas Ddumba Katumba, a Kampala-based IT expert, has threatened to sue Multiplex Uganda Ltd over what he describes as “illegal and unprofessional” vehicle clamping. The incident occurred last Thursday along Kampala Road, where Ddumba’s car was wrongfully clamped despite having no outstanding parking dues.
Speaking to the NewzUpdates, Ddumba recounted the distressing experience that unfolded after he parked his vehicle near the former Nandos building to grab a quick breakfast. Upon returning, he discovered his car had been clamped. When he approached a Multiplex employee collecting parking fees, she insisted that his vehicle had unpaid balances. However, Ddumba quickly verified through Multiplex’s payment-checking service that his account was up to date.
The situation escalated when Ddumba noticed an error on the clamping ticket; it listed a different vehicle registration number (UAV 724V) instead of his (UAV 724A). Despite pointing out the mistake, the clamping team refused to remove the clamp and left him stranded for over an hour. Frustrated, he sought assistance at a nearby police station but was redirected to Multiplex’s offices.
At Multiplex’s offices, the company acknowledged the error but delayed resolving the issue. “It took another hour and a supervisor’s intervention before the issue was resolved,” Ddumba lamented, expressing anger at how motorists are treated by Multiplex. He criticized their stringent policies regarding late payments and emphasized that if they impose penalties without accepting excuses, they should similarly be held accountable for their mistakes.
Now in the process of hiring a lawyer to file a lawsuit against Multiplex Uganda, Ddumba aims to hold the company accountable for what he believes is a systemic issue affecting many motorists. “I know this could be happening to other motorists, and it needs to stop. I want to set an example,” he stated.
Efforts to reach Multiplex Uganda for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication. Known primarily for its control of street parking in Kampala, the company now faces scrutiny over its practices in vehicle clamping.