news TRUSTED NEW
Transport fares across Kampala and other parts of the country have increased following a sharp rise in fuel prices, leaving commuters and operators struggling with higher costs and reduced passenger numbers. Taxi and bus operators say fuel prices have risen from between Shs4,000 and Shs5,000 per litre to over Shs6,500, forcing transporters to adjust fares in order to remain operational.Some fuel stations have also experienced intermittent shortages, further worsening the situation as vehicles spend more time off the road or queue for fuel. As a result, taxi operators in Kampala have increased fares by Shs500 on short-distance routes, while longer routes such as Mityana and Mubende have registered increases of up to Shs1,000. Some bus companies have added between Shs5,000 and Shs10,000, depending on the route.Mini-bus operators, commonly known as “Awakula Ennume,” have also adjusted fares from Shs1,500 to Shs2,000, affecting low-income commuters who rely on cheaper transport options. The fare increases have been largely attributed to rising fuel costs, which transporters link to global geopolitical tensions, including the conflict between Iran and Israel and the involvement of the United States. At the Bunamwaya stage in the New Taxi Park, Abdul Sseremba said operators had no choice but to increase fares.Sseremba said a trip from the New Taxi Park to Bunamwaya, which previously cost Shs2,000, now costs Shs2,500, while the Jomayi Estates route has increased from Shs3,000 to Shs3,500. He added that passenger numbers have dropped significantly as many people cut back on travel due to rising living costs and reduced incomes.He also noted that traders have begun relying on taxi deliveries for goods transportation to reduce costs. Noorden Mukuye, chairperson of Masuulita stage in the New Taxi Park, said poor road conditions have worsened fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance costs.He said operators now spend about Shs85,000 worth of fuel for trips that previously required around Shs50,000. Mukuye said fares on the Masuulita route have increased from Shs7,000 to Shs8,000.Lawrence Ssonko, a driver on the Bunamwaya route, said operators increased fares by Shs500 but noted that passengers are also under financial pressure. He said fuel costs for a single trip have risen from about Shs12,000 to nearly Shs20,000.At Namayiba Bus Terminal, Haruna Zzimbe, stage master for Mityana and Mubende routes, said most revenue is now consumed by fuel expenses. He said a return trip to Mityana requires about Shs150,000 worth of fuel, while passenger numbers have declined. Zzimbe confirmed that fares to Mityana have increased by Shs1,000.Despite the rising costs, Wanagon Coaches at Namayiba Bus Terminal has maintained its fares, with passengers paying Shs30,000 to Lira and Shs40,000 for the executive class. Manager Musa Ssemambya said the company has avoided fare increases due to declining passenger numbers.Gudoi Wilson from Namayiba Bus Terminal said fares to Soroti have increased to Shs35,000, though negotiations are still possible depending on passenger capacity. Economists note that the transport fare increases are reflected in national inflation trends.According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), passenger transport by road inflation rose to 10.6 percent last month, up from 2.2 percent in April 2026, with fuel price increases identified as a key driver of inflationary pressure.About Post Author
Post navigation
Source link
