Buses and taxis snake along Namirembe Road in Kampala to pick people going upcountry

By Jeff Lule, Bryan Mayanja and Suzan Akidi

WITH only three days to Christmas, transport fares have almost doubled on most upcountry routes.

Both the bus and taxi terminals in Kampala were yesterday flooded with travelers and some were stranded due to the unexpected high transport fares.

Stella Mugume, the booking manager of SB Coach Services at the terminal in Kisenyi, said fares increased due to the festive season and the lack of passengers on return journeys.

For all routes to the western region, their fares range from sh12,000 to sh35,000, up from sh10,000 and sh20,000.

At the Qualicel terminal adjacent to the new taxi park, passengers were required to pay sh25,000 for a trip to Mbarara, up from sh15,000.

The fare from Kampala to Ibanda was sh30,000, up from sh20,000, while a trip to Kamwenge costs between sh35,000 and sh40,000, up from sh28,000.

A stage manager for Gulu and Lira buses said the fares have increased from sh15,000 to sh25,000 and sh30,000 respectively.

The Kaliita bus terminal at the Nakivuubo Stadium parking yard charged sh30,000 to Fort Portal and other western routes, up from sh15,000.

For minibuses at both taxi parks, the fares were slightly lower. The fare to Masaka increased to sh15,000, up from sh7,000, while the fare to Mbarara has gone up to sh20,000 from sh15,000.

Those travelling to Mbale in a minibus pay sh15,000, while those heading to Jinja pay up to sh7,000, up from sh3,000.

“I am disappointed with these drivers. Why do they always increase the fees during the Christmas season? Yet, fuel prices are constant,” said Rehema Nambi, a passenger travelling to Mbarara.

The Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association Authorities (UTODA) denied knowledge of the increase of the fares and warned all those involved.

Possibly as a result of the high rates, bus operators complained that the turn-up this year was below expectations.

“There are fewer people travelling this season,” said Mugume of SB Coach Services. “Last year, many people booked a week in advance. The majority might have left Kampala earlier to avoid paying high fees.”