Apac boda boda riders hike fares as petrol prices soar

9 September 2023, 5:51 pm

By Mike Okwang Ogule & Isaac Newton Abili

Boda boda operators in Apac Municipality have anticipated plans to increase transport fare following the current rise in the price of petrol.

Under their Umbrella, The Apac Municipality Boda Boda Service Association, Boda Boda says they can not continue charging passengers at old price with the current high price of fuel across the country.

Mr Benson Abila, the spokesperson of the Apac Municipality boda boda service association said that they arranged to increase the transportation fare in order to cover their members from losses.

According to Abila town service hasn’t been affected by this new development though Apac Town to Chegere Corner, passengers hoping to use boda boda will pay Shs. 12,000 from Shs 10,000, Apac Town to Loro Town Council from Shs 20,000 to Shs25,000 and Apac Town to Aduku Town council from Shs 20,000 to Shs 25000, Apac Town to Kungu Ferry from Shs 35,000 to Shs 40,000. among other places.

The price of petrol and diesel have risen sharply countrywide, Apac Municipality in particular, at Bangdongo Fuel Station, a litre of petrol has risen from Shs 4950 to Shs 5150, diesel from Shs 4800 to 4900 per litre, Kobil station, a litre of petrol has risen from Shs5100 to 5200 while diesel from Shs 4990 to 5000 per litre, GS Filling Station now charges Shs5100 from Shs5000 per litre of petrol.

Luzino Odongo Bangala, the proprietor of Bang-dongo Fuel Station attributes their price increase to delays at the border point between Uganda and Kenya.

Mr Ojok Ona, a boda boda rider asks government to intervene and normalize the situation since its currently affecting their daily income.

Mr Ebonny Oyuru, the Apac district commercial officer observed that the rise in petrol price has at some point affected businesses countrywide.

He however said although boda boda did not involve his office, they should charge fairly in order to maintain their daily customers.

In a statement to Uganda parliament on Tuesday this week, the minister of state for energy, Sidronius Okaasai attributed the rising fuel prices to deepening OPEC supply cuts, strong world oil demand and the seasonal impact of the summer in the west hinting that the government would continue with its non-interference approach on commodity prices a statement that angered many law makers.