Government decides to increase transport fares

According to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the increment in public transport fares is “justifiable” and will not interfere.

The Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF) declared last week that they were going to revise again about their public transport service meals across the country, owing to the increased cost of fuel.

As per the UTOF, taxi operators were going to make certain adjustments in their range of prices from Shs 500 to Shs 5000, depending on the distance.

According to the statement from Fred Byamukama, the State Ministry of Works and Transport, they were not aware of these changes but shall not intervene because it is justified.

The proposed increment in fares has been reviewed in order to ensure that they are not exploitative. Therefore, the Ministry is aware of justifiable increments in transport fares based on the overall cost of fuel,” Byamukama said.

As per the Byamukama, they agree with the adjustments, including an increase of Shs 500 for trips within city boundaries, Shs 1000 for trips beyond 35kms and Shs 2000 for trips between 40kms and 100kms.

Furthermore, Byamukama added that there is an increase of Shs 3000 for trips beyond 130 km, and it is an increase of Shs 5000 for trips beyond 140kms.

He said that it is within the government’s order to regulate and watch or monitor public transport but not dictate transport fares which are greatly determined by the forces of demand and supply.

He further stated that they would continue to monitor the charges in order to make sure that they were not exploitative.

He said they would continue to monitor the charges to ensure that they were not exploitative.

The statement comes when many Ugandans complain about the high cost of living fuelled by a sharp rise in utilities.

The government said that the increasing prices are beyond internal control as most of the factors that led to this predicament are external.