This is the first part of a three part series I am writing on Public Transport in Kampala, Uganda.
When you want to move around Kampala but do not have your own vehicle, you can choose between a few options.
Strictly speaking there is no real Public Transport, because it is all private initiative. Neither the government, the district or Kampala City Council operates or contracts private companies to offer public transport.
The mainstay of "Publicly Available Transport" comprises of Taxis and Boda-Bodas.
Taxis (known in Kenya as Matatus)
are usually Toyota Hiaces fitted and registered to carry 14 passengers. This is achieved by 4 rows of bench seats with 3 fixed seats at the back row and 2 fixed and one foldable seat in the 3 other rows. In addition to this there are seats in the front of the vehicle - next to the driver. But often they will try to fit 2-3 more persons in the taxi - more if there is kids. In addition to up to 18-19 passenger the taxi is operated by a crew of two, a driver and a conductor.
These taxis generally run on fixed routes across town. Where most (local) people go there will be taxis running that route. They will pickup and offload passengers at taxi stages along the route but will often stop outside of these stages, if someone wants to get on or off the taxi.
They are probably the cheapest way of getting around town but are also among the slowest as they will wait at key stages to fill the taxi with passengers. Taxis are governed and licensed by UTODA - Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association. Each taxi pays a license to UTODA who again will pay a fee to Kampala City Council.
As yu can imagine it can be a tight and slow journey going by taxi and as personal hygiene is not a priority to many Ugandans it can be a rather smelly affair too.
Tomorrow in part two we will take a look at Boda-Bodas. Don't miss it! ;-)
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