Uganda is a landlocked country lying between 800km from the Indian ocean and boarded by Kenya to the East, Tanzania, Rwanda to the south, the democratic republic of Congo to the west, and South Sudan to the North. Public transport in Uganda is divided into air, road, water, and rail. Uganda is well connected by public transport. Road infrastructure comprises classified national roads and urban roads. Uganda has only one international airport which is Entebbe international airport. let’s go through a series of how to use public transport in Uganda.
BUSES/COACHES
There are many buses available in Kampala that travel around the city as well as to other areas of the country. The bus stations (Horizon Bus Terminal, next to Qualicell Building, Namayiba Bus Terminal on Rashid Khamis Road; The Kisenyi Bus Terminal near Owino Market), which is located in the city center, is a good place to go for the route, fare, and timetable information. Another good place to obtain information about traveling through Uganda by bus is the National Tourism office, which is also located in the city center. There are various classes and styles of buses to choose from, which can be comfortable as well as overcrowded and hot. Minibusses are available throughout Kampala and work as a type of taxi. These buses can be hailed from the side of the road and can fit a large number of people. Fares should be negotiated with the driver before beginning a journey.
TAXIS [MATATUS]
This is a 14 passenger carriage transportation service. The main vehicles of public transport in Uganda are small minibusses, which are hence called taxis. In contrast to our taxis, these are approved for 14 people inclusive of the conductor and charge low prices compared to other means of transportation. National wide, they are distinguished by their blue chequered markings. The fare normally depends on the distance to be covered by each specific passenger. To get any taxis one has to go to the taxis park that is to say either old taxis park or new taxis park. But however one can also access any taxis along the specific stages per areas destined for the taxis parking. They are normally occupied by a lot of people thought they are well organized. You will find small signposts of locations on which all the taxis mention the places they are going or heading to. Immediately after one has accessed the post for this area of destination. He or she confirms from the people around if the taxis they are standing alongside it’s the exact one for his or her area of destination.
Buses and coaches cover all major routes and all things being relative, they are the safest form of public transport in Uganda. When planning a long trip to the Western route from Kampala through Mbarara town, Ntugamo and proceed to Kabale. One bus takes you all the way, no transfers are required. The trip takes 6 to 8 hours depending on one destination.
Special Hire: most used by almost everyone in the country and yet some specific people prefer privacy and comforts seats that are provided within most special hire cans than taking public taxis which are less comfortable and act smelly due to a bit larger number of people that board them. However, these special cabs are disadvantaged due to the fact that the deadliest activities are done within those cabs for example killing innocent people especially during late-night hours when the world is down to no hearing at all.
Use of ride-hailing apps; Ride-hailing refers to an act when a customer orders a customized ride online usually via a smartphone application.
BODA BODAS.
Boda Bodas as they are normally called in Uganda is motorcycle taxis commonly found in major trading centers in Uganda. Places such as Kampala, Entebbe, Mbale, Ntugamo, Busia, Jinja to mention but a few have got a lot of Boda bodas that carry passengers. They navigate traffic jams, access remote locations where other means of public Transport cant reach.
Boda Boda transport services have grown from small beginnings in the 1960s to now approximately 30,000 just in the central business districts of Kampala. Despite their popularity among the operators and users. Both operators and users acknowledge the very risky nature of the business but applaud its importance to survive and quick movement. The Boda Boda can accommodate one passenger however, some carry two and three. However, while using that Boda bodas, one should take caution because they normally cause a lot of accidents as records from the traffic police department to indicate that over 7,000 people were killed in boda-boda accidents within a 2-year period from 2015-2017 in Uganda.
Online Boda Boda Apps include;
Safe Boda. This is the king of e-hailing in Uganda. Since its first days in 2015, Safe Boda has grown to become a household name and boasts more than 16000 boda-boda riders. It is credited for its professionalism, convenience, affordability, and safety. Riders are provided with helmets which makes them safe Boda and safer compared to these ordinary boda-bodas. With its unique features like cashless payment where one can use mobile money to pay for the ride, package delivery, and ordering food. Safe Boda keeps innovating and growing to new heights.
Uber. This was introduced in mid-2016, Uber has steadily grown with impressive feedback of overall service. Uber Uganda comes in two options that are boda-boda that is convenient for facilitating movements from point A to B. The other option is Uber cars are great for moving to or from the airport while Uber Boda is great if you want to move through Kampala very fast without getting stuck in a traffic jam. Given Uber’s popularity, you might already. The pear guide app lists anything you might need on your trip from tourist attractions, restaurants, accommodation, and major events worth checking out. There are options for ticket purchase to events and countless listings of the upcoming trips that would be of interest to you.
BICYCLES
Bicycles were introduced in Uganda in 1903 by the Colonial government and later to the courts as prestige providing a better transport option. Later they were acquired by the trading community and become an important tool in the transportation of cash crops such as cotton, coffee, and tobacco. Bicycle transportation is one of the commonest and most versatile means used in Uganda especially in rural areas. Bicycles are popular in the Eastern and Northern regions of the country. Virtually, any load can be carried like charcoal, Firewood, jerry cans of water, and beer among others. Bicycles are also used to travel outside the villages such as going to a market or for a social visit. In other parts like Kampala, bicycles are used to carry passengers.
TUK TUK
Tuk-tuk is a three-wheeled bike that has a sitting capacity of 3 people with both seats of the driver and passenger side covered with a tarpaulin to shield them from either sunshine or rain. For those that are not comfortable in taxis and the risks associated with boda-bodas, a tuk-tuk is the best recommendation a person can take. It gives a passenger comfort shield from sunshine and rain. It’s easily accessible and affordable for special hires. They are normally found in Mengo, Kisenyi famously known as little Mogadishu got the name from the capital city of Somalia after the arrival of Somalians who introduced tuk-tuk as a transport system in Uganda when they arrived as refugees from their home country.
FERRIES
A ferry is a vessel used to carry passengers, vehicles, and cargo across a water body. Uganda National Roads Authority currently operates 10 ferries across the major water bodies in Uganda. While on your Uganda safaris various ferries such as Albert Nile ferry, Sigulu Ferry, mv Kalangala and so much more. With the various ferries in Uganda one gets a chance to travel by his car across a water body and use it after like day trips. Ferries grant a traveler a chance to travel on large water bodies like mv Kalangala on Lake Victoria, enjoy the fresh air. Who wouldn’t want to get a chance to enjoy a ride on Uganda’s largest water body?
AIR TRANSPORT
Air transport refers to the movement of people and other goods from one place to another by use of airplanes. Air transport started in 1950 in Uganda where Entebbe airport was established by the British who were the colonial masters by then. Entebbe was chosen due it is a strategic location. Air transport is not commonly used in Uganda because it is quite expensive. This justifies the reason why most people who use airplanes are tourists while on Uganda safaris or easy and quickest access to Uganda national parks, foreigners, VIPS, and a few Ugandans who are going to other countries. This however has not stopped the Uganda air transport system from growing gradually as more people around the world are interested in Uganda for its tourism potential and business opportunities. Over 20 international and regional airbuses are operating at Entebbe international airport. Various international companies like fly emirates, Etihad Airways, Kenya airway and so much more airlift people from Uganda to USA, Rwanda, Dubai, and many others. With the re-introduction of Uganda Airlines, the air transport in Uganda has been boasted and flights that go to Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and other countries have increased. With the beautiful bombardier, traveling by air is a whole new experience.
BOATS
Boat riding is one of the best ways to enjoy while using public transport in Uganda. Imagine sailing on the calm waters of Africa’s second deepest lake! lake Bunyonyi. The lake is composed of 29 islands including the famous punishment island where girls who got pregnant before marriage were taken and left to die in isolation. Travelers can decide to paddle themselves or look for someone to paddle them. With boat riding, travelers also have a chance to meet and interact with local people. Travelers are however advised to put on life jackets while on water and avoid alcohol.
TRAIN
The train is yet another way to use public transport in Uganda. Although this is not commonly used in Uganda, because it was formerly used by Indian coolies to transport copper and cobalt from Kasese so with the expulsion of Indians by president Amin in 1970s the railway transport was highly left behind this eventually led to its collapse and to date a lot of railways have been left dormant like the one at Kilembe mines in Kasese. However, there is an available train station in Uganda at Kampala main station. It goes up to Nakawa, Kireka, Namboole, and beyond. Uganda still has plans of restoring an old railway line linking Kampala to Malaba on the Kenyan border.
Foot; walking in Uganda is not a new thing. It is no surprise that some pilgrims walk from various districts like Mbarara, Ntugamo, and many others to come to Kampala for the Uganda martyrs’ day. Pedestrians in Uganda have been provided with pavements on roads. While using a foot in Uganda one should keep the right-hand side of the road so that you see the oncoming traffic. Young children should not be left alone on the road, hold their hands firmly. Various busy roads have zebra crossing that enables pedestrians to walk through the roads safely. Many people in Uganda especially in remote areas use their feet to reach urban center’s for medicines, to go to churches and schools. With its added advantage like increasing antioxidants, reducing inflammation, and improving sleep. One needs to walk through Kampala streets to grab a chapati or roasted maize on the street or catch some fresh air. tors to Kampala have numerous options for getting around the city, as well as to surrounding areas, using public transportation.