Passengers to pay more for same route

The increment range between Shs500 and Shs1,000 for shorter distances within the city centre and the suburbs and Shs1,000 to Shs3,000 for long distances.
Mr Rashid Mugenyi Ssekandi, the chairperson of UTOF, while confirming the development, said: “We reached out to the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala, and he said government has no alternative to solve fuel increment. So as taxi operators, we are going to increase the transport fares.” 

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He said when the fuel prices stabilise they will revert to the old charges.
Mr Ssekandi said they are operating at a loss since their customers are accustomed to the old fares and  do not take into consideration the high fuel prices.
“The number of passengers travelling has also reduced,” he said.
The chairperson of Kisenyi and Namayiba bus terminal, Mr Nelson Ssekandi, said their association of bus operators has called for an emergency meeting next week to discuss fares.

“We will engage stakeholders to come up with a way forward,” said Mr Ssekandi.
By yesterday, several buses were seen parked around the bus park.
“Buses that move across East Africa have increased their price. For example they have been charging Shs120, 000 from Kampala to Nairobi, but it has increased to now between Shs180, 000 and 200,000.  South Sudan charges are now Shs200,000 from Shs150,000,” he noted.

“And since passengers cannot afford the new fares across East Africa, they have now resorted to transporting cargo,” Mr Ssekandi revealed.
He appealed to government to revise the prices of fuel.
“We had almost 60 bus companies and now there are only 45 that are fully operational,” he said.
 Mr Ssekandi also revealed that some bus employees have lost jobs.
“Shops within the bus terminals have also closed because there is no business,” he said.
Ms Christine Namakunda, the manager of Wanagon Coaches, said:  “It’s hard to remain operational, the cost of running our businesses is too high.”

No endorsement yet
The Senior Public relations officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Ms Suzan Kataike, said the ministry has not yet endorsed the proposal of hiking transport fare.
“We requested them to submit their proposals. It is only after they have presented the proposals that the ministry will be able to assess and come up with an agreeable position,’’ Ms Kataike noted.

Responding to people’s call on the government to intervene, Ms Kataike said the ministry is waiting for the Cabinet decision on the escalating prices of commodities.
‘’Last week, the President said Cabinet is going to sit and discuss the matter,’’ she said.

Stage    Old fare (Shs)    New fare
Nsangi    3,000    4,000
Mpigi    5,000    6,000
Nansana    2,500    3,500
Kakiri    3,500    4,500
Busunju    6,000    7,000
Kasubi    1,500    2,500
Kayunga    8,000    9,000
Nakifuma    6,000    7,000
Kangulumira    10,000    11,000
Kawempe    2,000    3,000
Matugga    3,000    4,000
Mukono    4,000    5,000
Luzira    1,500    2,500
Entebbe    4,000    5,000
Kansanga    1,000    2,000
Ggaba    1,500    2,500
Mpererwe    3,000    4,000
Gayaza    3000    4000
Kalerwe    1,000    2,000
Ntinda    2,000    3,000
Luweero    7,000    8,000
Mityana    8,000    9,000
Mubende    15,000    16,000
Byeyogerere    2,000    3,000
 

Tororo    20,000    25,000
Pallisa    18,000    23,000
Mbale    20,000    25,000
Kamuli    15,000    16,000
Iganga    13,000    18,000
Jinja    10,000    15,000
Mbarara    30,000    35,000
Hoima    20,000    25,000
Masaka    15,000    20,000
Busembatia    20,000    25,000
Namutumba    20,000    25,000
Bukedea    25,000    30,000
Mbale city    25,000    30,000
Bugiri    16,000    21,000
Masaka city    14,000    19,000
Kalisizo Kyotera    18,000    23,000
Rakai    20,000    25,000
Mutukula    25,000    30,000
Rwamagwa    25,000    30,000
Lyantonde    20,000    25,000
Kyazanga    20,000    25,000
Mbirizi    20,000    25,000
Kinoni    17,000    22,000