Fare hikes hit travelers amid Christmas season rush

Passengers queue to enter a bus and travel upcountry from Kampala yesterday. Many
want to avoid the anticipated transport rise in fares by next week. PHOTO | GEOFREY MUTUMBA
What you need to know:
- According to different transporters interviewed by this publication, they say the rise in charges helps them offset the dwindling number of passengers on return journeys.
With only a week to Christmas, transporters are hiking fares as more people travel upcountry ahead of the festive season.
At many bus and taxi parks visited, fares for long routes have increased by Shs5,000 for the eastern routes and by Shs20,000 on the western roads.
The transporters say the rise helps offset the dwindling number of passengers on their return leg to the city.
At the Old Taxi Park in Kampala, travelers heading to Mbale, Tororo, Malaba, Pallisa, Soroti, Kapchorwa, Busolwe, Bugiri, Busia, Namayingo, Tororo, and Malaba are now parting with between Shs30,000 and Shs45,000.
Travellers to Jinja and Mayuge are paying Shs15,000 to Shs17,000 while those heading to Mbale have to pay between Shs25,000 and Shs30,000.
Previously, the fares from Kampala to Mbale and Malaba stood at Shs25,000, but the charges for Amudat have remained unchanged at Shs45,000.
Mr Paul Nsereko Lukabwe, a transporter at the Old Taxi Park, attributed the increase to the imbalance in passenger numbers. "Many people travel from Kampala to their villages but very few are returning now. Whenever we are travelling back, we drive empty seats," Mr Nsereko explained.
“This year, people are poorer, and fewer are traveling to their villages. Last year, the fares even reached Shs50,000, but now even when you tell a passenger the fare is only Shs30,000, they still complain,” he added.
Mr Nsereko said the fares charged are agreed with the Transport Licensing Board (TLB).
At Arua Bus Park, travellers to West Nile now have to pay an extra Shs20,000 for the routes to the sub-region.
Mr Joseph Etole Mabutu, the spokesperson for Nile Star Coaches, confirmed the fare adjustment.
"For ordinary buses, the fare has risen from Shs50,000 to Shs70,000, while executive buses now cost Shs90,000, up from Shs70,000. Specific routes such as Nebbi, Paidha, Arua, Koboko, and Yumbe have also seen similar increases," he said.
Mr Mabutu added: "The increase is due to the growing number of passengers traveling ahead of Christmas. Buses depart daily from their terminal on Bombo Road between 6.30pm and 10.00pm. Passengers must wait in the designated area after booking, with some taking naps before departure."
The Jaguar Bus Services have also increased fares by Shs20,000. Mr Hussein Kamagala of Jaguar Bus Services said the increment was forced by rising fuel prices and high demand.
In contrast, Tausi Bus Services have maintained their fares to support budget-conscious travellers. Their charges for popular routes of Kampala-Ishaka, Mbarara, and Bushenyi remain at Shs30,000.
"The prices remain unchanged for now, but there may be adjustments in a few days. Travellers should plan their journeys early to avoid last-minute disappointments," said a representative.
Similarly, YY Coaches, however, have not increased fares. "The fare you pay in January is the same in December. We don’t change our prices because we avoid unnecessary costs like broker fees," said Mr Kaisrye from YY Coaches.
However, at Namayiba Bus Terminal, fares for routes to northern and eastern Uganda have also increased. Routes to Gulu, Arua, Lira, Kitgum, Apac, Soroti, Moroto, and Kabong have seen significant hikes.
"We are already struggling to make ends meet. This fare increase is a heavy burden. We need to provide for our families in the villages, but transport costs are too high," said Mr Gerald Mukabire, a passenger traveling to Soroti.
Mr Isaac Steven Mukhuba, a supervisor at Gateway Bus Services, said the closure of Karuma Bridge has contributed to hikes in the fares. He said the operators are forced to use alternative and longer routes.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) closed the Karuma bridge in May to facilitate reconstruction, diverting heavy traffic to longer routes.
Mr Deo Mukiibi, a transport officer at Namayiba Bus Terminal, said the festive season creates additional operational costs such as vehicle maintenance.
But a traveller pleaded: "The festive season should be for celebration, not for increased expenses. We urge transport operators to reconsider their decision."
TRANSPORT CHARGES FROM KAMPALA CITY
FROM KLA OLD FARES NEW FARES
Kisoro Shs50,000 Shs70,000
Kabaale Shs40,000 Shs60,000
Kigali, Rwanda Shs80,000 Shs100,000
Goma, DR Congo Shs80,000 Shs110,000
Ishaka Shs30,000 Shs30,000
Mbarara Shs30,000 Shs30,000
Bushenyi Shs30,000 Shs30,000
Lukaya-Masaka Shs20,000 Shs20,000
Mbarara-Kasese-Fort Portal Shs40,000 Shs40,000
Kisoro Shs60,000 Shs60,000
Kakagati via Isingiro Shs40,000 Shs40,000
Mbale Shs30,000 Shs30,000
Soroti Shs35,000 Shs35,000
Lira Shs40,000 Shs40,000
Arua Shs60,000 Shs60,000
Yumbe, Koboko Shs70,000 Shs70,000
Juba Shs130,000 Shs130,000
Nairobi Shs100,000 Shs100,000
By Maria Jacinta Kannyange, Sylvia Namagembe, Vicent Lusambya, David Walugembe, By Omukooki Ronald Ssenvuma, Mike Ssebalu and Karim Muyobo