Transport Fares Hiked Over Protests in Kampala

Public transport costs within and from Kampala to the outskirts have been increased as unrest enters day two. 

The most affected areas include Mengo, Rubaga, Kansanga, Mpererwe, Kasangati, Gayaza. Where costs ranged between 3000 to 4000 shillings but because of the riots the taxis are transporting passengers at a cost between 5000 to 7000 shillings.

Other routes are from Kampala to Kireka, Bweyogerere and Mukono, Nsangi, Busega, Bwaise, Kawempe where the cost has increased by 1000 shillings or more from the usual prices.

The drivers blame the increase in taxi fares to fewer passengers and the risks of their vehicles being vandalised amidst riots they may find along the way. 

Swabu Kisekka, a driver who works along Wandegeya – Kalerwe – Mpererwe to Gayaza road says that he risked a lot yesterday getting passengers to their destination following riots he met along the way in Wandegeya, Kalerwe, Mpererwe and Kasangati. He says on two occasions after police fired teargas along the road, he found garbage and soil blockades along the way and in the process of negotiating the journey by using  other routes, the passengers abandoned the car making him to lose close 50,000 shillings.

John Kibalama, who drives a taxi along Bwaise - Kawempe - Maganjo says that people are fewer in town since businesses closed shop after riots this morning. Many of them prefer walking and using shortcuts to get to their homes. In order to get some money during the day, since the number of trips made have reduced, he opted to increase the fare.

Charles Ndego, a driver a long Kampala to Mukono says the riots have increased the delays on the road which requires more time and fuel. Ndego says that along the way since yesterday and this morning, police fights running battles with rioters which make the public transporters business risky, but also expensive to engage into now.

Other drivers have the same reasons but some have also expressed the fear to ply some routes where thugs waylay taxis and vandalise them, people and their property.

 

The most dangerous roads are northern by pass, along Kampala – to Mukono and Nansana. Christopher Kyazze, who whose car UAL 256D was vandalised along northern bypass while going to Nansana, Wakiso says he only risks going to the road by increasing the fares.

“The vandals spotted my car in the jam, removed all the car lights, stole from passengers phones and run off as riots ensued last evening,” Kyazze said. 

So early this morning after replacing the stolen car parts from Kisekka market before the riots begun, he had to increase the prices of transport to Nansana from 4,000 to 6,000 shillings, while those going to Wakiso pay 8,000 shillings.

Several people are seen leaving Kampala on foot to various destinations because of high cost of transport.  Some pedestrians expressed fear of spending money and getting into riots before they reach. They prefer to walk use less money but reach safely without being attacked by either police or rioters in the cars.

Joyce Nantume, a shop vendor at Equatorial Mall closed her shop at 3pm to start off her journey to Najeera on time. She fears night riots, vandals and spending excessively on transport. 

The riots in Kampala were sparked off after National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi was arrested in Luuka yesterday and detained at Nalufenya police over charges of neglecting COVID-19 guidelines and endangering the public with catching a disease contrary to section 171 of the penal code Act.