By Samuel Opio
With a few days to Christmas, transport fares have shot up, forcing people travelling to the countryside to dig deeper into their pockets.
Several offices will close on Friday for the Christmas break to allow their employees celebrate the festive season.
Towards every end of the year, a big number of people working in the city tend to go back to their upcountry homes to bond with their relatives during the festive season.
A spot check done by this newspaper found out that majority of bus operators have increased transport fares by either Shs10,000 or Shs15,000.
As of Tuesday, from Kampala to Mbarara transport fares range between 25000 to 30,000,
Kampala to Rukungiri from 40,000 to 45000
Kampala to Kabale from 35000 to 40,000,
Kampala to Kisoro from 40,000 to 45000.
Kampala to Kasese from 30,000 to 40,000,
Kampala- Fort Portal from 30,000 to 35000,
Kampala to Bundibugyo from 30,000 to 40’000
And Masindi is now at 25000 shillings
Those plying on Eastern route, fares have increased by 10,000 shillings and now from Kampala to Mbale from 20,000 to 25000, Kampala to Soroti from 25000 to 30,000.
Heading to Northern part of the country, Kampala to Gulu from 30,000 to 35000, Kampala to Arua 45000 to 50,000.
Cross border, buses have also increased fares from Kampala to Nairobi from 65000 to 71000, Kampala to Mombasa 111000/=, Kampala to Kigali Rwanda from 50,000 to 55000, Juba is now 100,000 and Kampala to Burundi 65000/-.
