KAMPALA – A total of 980 passenger buses will hit Kampala streets in March 2020 as part of efforts to decongest the city of traffic jam.
Addressing journalists in Kampala on Wednesday, November 20, Mr Peter Kimbowa, the chairperson of Tondeka Metro, a transport company, said they have submitted a proposal to Kampala Capital City Authority for approval.
He also revealed that they consulted other stakeholders in the transport sector as regards the implementation of the project.
“We have met with members of various committees and board to conclude the strategy and operations of this new initiative. This is an initiative to improve transport system in the city,” said Mr Kimbowa, who revealed that Uganda is losing close to $800m (about Shs3 trillion) every year in traffic jam.
Mr Kimbowa said the buses will initially ply Kampala- Mukono route on Jinja road; Kampala-Nsangi on Masaka Road, Kampala-Buloba on Mityana Road, Kampala-Wakiso on Hoima Road, Kampala-Matugga on Bombo Road; Kampala-Entebbe and Kampala-Ggaba.
KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju said they have received the proposal from Tondeka Metro and they are discussing it.
“It is not yet at the level of approval but it is among the proposals that are being discussed to improve the capacity of transport in the city. So whoever brings in a proposal we accept,” Mr Kaujju said.
In 2012, the government and KCCA introduced Pioneer buses on Kampala streets. However, shortly after entry into the market, the company’s scaled down operations, citing huge operating costs and failure by KCCA to provide them guarantees on route charts and Shs6 billion tax Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) slapped on them.
