With just a day to Christmas, a surge in passengers at Kampala’s bus terminals and taxi parks is causing transport fares to skyrocket. Many urban dwellers are heading to the countryside to spend the festive season with family, a tradition that has overwhelmed the transport sector.
By yesterday, long queues were visible across different terminals as desperate and exhausted passengers scrambled to secure buses and taxis. The influx of travelers has created a windfall for transport operators, who are hiking fares despite government directives against such practices.
A mini-survey by Daily Monitor revealed that fares for upcountry routes have increased significantly. Travelers on the Kampala-Lukaya-Masaka route now pay Shs30,000, up from Shs20,000. Similarly, fares to Mbarara have risen to Shs50,000, from the usual Shs30,000, while those heading to Kisoro and Kabale are paying Shs100,000, up from Shs70,000 and Shs60,000 respectively.
The northern routes are no exception. Passengers heading to Gulu are charged Shs60,000, up from Shs35,000, and those traveling to Arua pay Shs80,000, up from Shs50,000. At the eastern end, fares from Kampala to Mbale now stand at Shs40,000, an increase from Shs25,000.
Transport operators attribute these hikes to the high demand for upcountry travel and low returns from trips back to Kampala. Mr. Kamagala Hussein, a representative from Jaguar Bus Services, explained, “We bring back empty vehicles, which forces us to adjust fares to cover costs.”
Despite the price hikes, some routes have maintained their rates. For instance, Volcano and YY Coaches confirmed no fare changes on select routes. However, other operators, including Gateway, Mokome, and Kakise, admitted to increasing fares due to rising operational costs.
Passengers expressed frustration over the situation. Ms. Yvonne Apendi, traveling to Kabong, lamented, “The increased fares will leave us struggling financially.” Similarly, Mr. Moses Okongo, en route to Arua, accused transporters of exploiting travelers during the festive season.
In response, the Minister of State for Transport, Mr. Fred Byamukama, announced plans to crack down on excessive fare hikes. “We are setting up a team with Uganda Police to address this. Any bus found charging exorbitant fares will face penalties, including suspension of operations,” he warned.
As Christmas approaches, the transport sector remains under pressure, with passengers scrambling to travel amidst rising costs and limited options.
The fare hikes strain household budgets, forcing some travelers to cancel trips, while others resort to overcrowded alternatives. Economic inequalities deepen as rural families miss reunions, undermining the festive spirit.
