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Taxis park at Arua new taxi park in Arua city. By Anslem Ojaru Arua city Motorists in Arua city have increased the cost of transport fares amidst the growing concerns of hike in fuel prices. Fuel station in the city have increased prices ranging between additi
Taxis park at Arua new taxi park in Arua city.
By Anslem Ojaru
Arua city
Motorists in Arua city have increased the cost of transport fares amidst the growing concerns of hike in fuel prices.
Fuel station in the city have increased prices ranging between additional 1000 and 2000, a hike transporters say could lead to higher transport fares.
Vincent Alema a boda boda rider in Arua city reveals the prices have increased depending on the distances they are riding.
“Previously we used to buy fuel at 4000 but now we buying fuel at 6000, or 5500, at the stations its 5300, 5000 and it has greatly affected us and now it depends, places like Arua hill, Arua primary were we used to go at 1000, we are now increasing to 2000 and others places like Mvara, Awindiri, CEFORD, we expect atleast 3000 Shs because the bike may get mechanical issues and also the fuel prices have increased.”
However for the taxi operators they are still contemplating on whether to increase or not with fears of losing their customers.
Andima Abdurahman a driver plying the Arua to Nebbi route states that though they have maintained the previous prices, things may change if the fuel prices keep hiking.
“Things are actually not okay for us from Arua to Nebbi we carry each passenger at 15,000 for now the fuel price has gone high so we have chosen to maintain our actual price, if we take it high, customers will not come again but if worse comes to worse we will increase,” he noted.
Sadam Salim the head of Arua drivers and blockers association at Arua Taxi Park, expresses worry saying this may force many people out of the transportation business.
Sadam Salim the head of drivers of Arua drivers and blockers association at Arua Taxi Park
“Since the price of fuel has increased and people are also crying for money we don’t know what to do because if we say we increase people will not move and if we say we don’t then that’s a problem, some of our drivers wanted to give up, the way am seeing with our situation in Uganda the best way, maybe we shall park the vehicles and if a liter reaches 8000 this situation will force us to park the vehicles,” he noted.
The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Energy maintains that recent hikes in fuel pump prices are unjustified and “premature,” as they are not supported by current market fundamentals.
A 2021 Research by Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE), Centre for Budget and Economic Governance reveal that the fuel price setting mechanism in Uganda has mostly left the pump fuel prices to market forces and as a result, there is no uniformity in price