Transporters in the Lango sub-region have increased fares to Kampala effective November 1, citing high fuel costs.
The United Bus Owners Association’s Friday announcement indicates that transport costs on routes to Kampala City have risen by at least Shs 10,000.
According to the new cost, travellers using executive buses will pay Shs 60,000 from Apac District to Kampala Shs50,000, while ordinary buses will charge Shs 50,000 up from Shs40,000.
From Lira City to Kampala, passengers will pay Shs 40,000 up from Shs 30,000; those travelling from Aduku Town Council in Kwania District will pay Shs 45,000 up from Shs 35,000.
Mr Geoffrey Anok, the executive director of Comfort Travellers Bus Company, told this publication on Saturday that the new rates will keep them in the business amid the spiralling cost of fuel and servicing buses.
“Currently, the cost of servicing the buses has almost doubled, and the cost of the fuel has also skyrocketed. The money we used to pay for fuel for the return journey now is paying for only a single trip.” He said.
The news has caused anxiety among the business community, especially small-scale traders who depend on daily travel to Kampala, Lira and other markets outside Lango Sub-region.
Ms Susan Akello, a produce dealer in Apac Main Market, said the hike will force them to increase commodity prices.
“When transport goes up, everything goes up. I buy beans from Lira. If I pay an extra 10,000 for transport, I must add it to the price of beans. In the end, the final consumer suffers. Customers are already complaining that things are expensive,” Akello said.
Another trader, Mr Jacob Ogwang, who deals in second-hand clothes, warned of low sales during the festive season.
“Customers have no money. If we increase prices of commodities because of transport, they will not buy. We are stuck. Government should intervene on fuel prices,” Mr Ogwang said.
Mr Joseph Ebong, 17, a resident of Apac Sub-county who travels to Kampala for medical treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital, called upon the government to regulate fuel prices and have dialogue with transport operators.
“I always travel to Kampala for medical check-ups, but the fare is now too high. I may not be able to afford this fare. This fuel price is killing us,” he lamented.
Fuel prices have been steadily rising in the past weeks, with some pump stations currently charging up to Shs7,200 for a litre of diesel, up from Shs4,700 in April this year.