Fares Increased As Public Transport Resumes in Kabale, Rukungiri

Taxi and bus operators in Kabale and Rukungiri district have increased fares after the ban on transport in border districts was lifted.

Addressing the nation in Kampala on Monday evening, President Museveni announced that public and private transport in selected border districts should resume save for Amuru, Rakai, Kyotera, Buikwe, Gulu, Arua, Adjumani, Moyo and Nebbi which have registered the highest cases of coronavirus.    

On Tuesday, transport fares from various routes like Kabale-Ntugamo-Mbarara, Kabale- Kisoro and Kabale- Rukungiri were increased.

Moses Kakuru says that transport fares from Kabale to Kisoro increased to UGX30,000 from UGX13,000 because they are carrying only half of their normal capacity.

“I am very happy thatwe have resumed business but transport fares from Kable to Kisoro has been increased to UGX30,000 from UGX13,000. Passengers are not turning up; we need the number of passengers to increase so that we can benefit more.”

Justus Katabaazi Muhwezi, the chairperson for Central Kabale Taxi Park Operators Association says that fares from Kabale to Mbarara has increased from UGX15,000 to UGX30,000, Kabale-Ntungamo UGX25,000 from shillings, Kabale-Rubaare UGX15,000 from UGX5,000 while from Kabale to Muhanga is now UGX 10,000 from UGX4,000.

Transport from Kabale to Rukungiri has increased from UGX12,000 to UGX30,000, Kabale kisiizi is now UGX15,000 from UGX8,000 while Kabale Katuna border is now UGX8,000 from UGX4,000.

“We have agreed that transport fares from Kabale to Mbarara be increased to UGX30,000, Kabale to Ntungamo, UGX25,000, to Rubaale UGX15,000 and Muhanga UGX10,000. Another route from Kabale to Rukungiri we have agreed that transport fares be increased to UGX30,000, Kagamba UGX25,000, and Kisiizi to UGX15,000. From Kabale to Katuna we have agreed that fares be increased from UGX4,000 to UGX8,000.

Moses Atwiine, a taxi driver along Kabale-Mbarara highway adds that they have put hand washing facilities at the entrance of the park. He adds that all drivers are supposed to record the details of their passengers so that they are easily traced in case of any need.

Fares from Rukungiri to Ntungamo have increased from UGX7,000 to UGX20,000 while from Rukungiri to Mbarara it costs UGX30,000 from UGX15,000 .

Moses Tumuheki, a passenger who was found in Kabale Taxi Park says that though transport fares are high, he has no option since he has a patient to attend to in Mbarara.

By Tuesday, Uganda had a total of 797 Covid-19 positive cases