UTOF urges calm over increased taxi fares

28 September 2026, 12:59 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Leaders of the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF) have urged the public to remain calm over increased taxi fares on some routes across the country.

The call was made during a media briefing aimed at finding lasting solutions to challenges faced by passengers using taxis.

Passengers have complained about the immediate increase in taxi fares following a directive by the Minister of State for Works and Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, that taxis in poor mechanical condition and with a bad outlook should stop carrying passengers.

Speaking to journalists in Kampala last week, UTOF Deputy Chairman in charge of Administration, Mustafa Mayambala, acknowledged complaints from passengers over the increased fares.

Mayambala said UTOF is engaging taxi operators to find a solution that benefits both passengers and operators.

“We apologise to our customers as UTOF. We have never intended to raise prices as the Federation, and that is why you see that in some areas, especially taxis transporting people to upcountry destinations, are still maintaining the same prices,” he said.

He explained that some operators had increased fares because of high fuel prices, saying maintaining the previous fares could result in losses.

“That is why, as the Federation, we decided to have meetings with the operators to find a solution to this problem because we don’t want to hurt our customers,” Mayambala said.

He also encouraged passengers to engage taxi conductors about fares, saying some operators may be willing to reduce the charges.

Mayambala attributed the shortage of taxis on some routes to the minister’s directive, saying many vehicles are currently in garages undergoing repairs.

“I have been seeing many people on the road, some walking and some waiting for taxis. This is because the taxis are a bit few since the Minister of Works and Transport declared that taxis in bad mechanical conditions should leave the road. That is why many of them are in garages trying to do some repairs, which is good,” he said.

Mayambala said the situation is temporary and expressed confidence that taxi availability and fares will stabilise once more vehicles return to the roads.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Namayiba Taxi Park, Faizo Lule Ssebiruumbi, acknowledged that fares have increased on some routes but said operators at Namayiba Taxi Park had not raised their charges.

“I am aware that there are routes where prices have been hiked. But here in Namayiba, we have not done so because we haven’t seen any reason as to why we should do so,” he said.

Ssebiruumbi urged taxi owners to repair vehicles that have been taken off the road, saying an increase in the number of operational taxis would eventually help bring fares down.

“We just want to remind the taxi owners to please repair the vehicles because if the number of vehicles increases, then the prices will reduce automatically,” he said.