Public commuter taxis operating on Kampala Masaka highway yesterday raised transport fares due to rising water levels on River Katonga bridge which lead to diversion of traffic on the busy highway.
Traffic was paralyzed after flash floods submerged river Katonga bridge in Mpigi district covering a section of about 200 meters of the road.
The fast moving flood waters also reclaimed part of the site near the bridge where the Uganda people’s defence forces plans to erect a multibillion army museum.
Meanwhile all motorists taking the route either from Masaka side or Kampala are currently required to use the Mpigi Kanoni Sembabule villa Maria Masaka road making the journey longer by 56km and costing more fuel.
The chairperson of Masaka Taxi Drivers and Conductors Association Mr Bisco Bukenya on being interviewed told our reporter that they had no option but to raise fares but when water subsidies at Katonga bridge we will definitely revert to the old fares.
It’s noted that passengers commuting from Masaka to Kampala had to pay between Shs 25,000 and Shs 30,000 up from the usual 15000.
In addition those taking the Kampala Mbarara route were charged between Shs 35,000 and Shs 40,000 a journey which was costing Shs 25,000.
However Mr Bukenya asked traveler’s to bear with the situation till it normalizes.
Meanwhile some commuter taxi operators in Masaka City didn’t work yesterday after several passengers declined to pay the extra fee and postponed their trips.
A commuter taxi driver we interviewed on condition of anonymity told our media that the cost of buying fuel for a single route was Shs 180,000 but the alternative route required him to buy fuel of 250,000.
…” it’s beyond our own control and just pray that it doesn’t take long because we may start operating at a loss despite making a slight increase in the fares,”he said.
However the manager of Global Coaches Limited Mr Antony Kihembo said that the current situation will not force them to raise the fares.
….” These floods come abruptly;we had revised our transport fares from Shs 30,000 to Shs 20,000 as a give back to our customers,” he said.
UNRA spokesperson Mr Allan Ssempewa said the diversion will remain in place till the water levels have sufficiently subsided and further added that UNRA has long term plans to improve some sections of Kampala Masaka highway such as at Lwera and Kalandazzi which are prone to flooding.
