KIGALI- ATLEAST six new bus companies from Kenya and Uganda have launched passenger services between Kampala and Kigali since the beginning of this year, raising the stakes in the escalating cutthroat competition of interstate commuter service.
A total of about 10 companies have deployed on average two or three luxurious coaches on the route, with about 25 buses crossing each day, some going as further to Bujumbura, Burundi and Gisenyi, near Goma, the DR Congo’s western border town with Rwanda. Previously, only three companies plied the route.
“Passenger numbers have gone up, we are quite overwhelmed by this increase. Some of the buses now have to operate at night, especially those from Uganda and Kenya,” an official with Jaguar Coaches said on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to speak for his company.
“The buses are capable of carrying 67 passengers each but on a bad day with few passengers, we take about 50 people,” the official added. That translates to over 3,350 passengers crossing to either country daily.
A travel writer, Mr. Michael Wakabi, recently KMP that such passenger figures had dwarfed air travel numbers on the Entebbe-Kigali flight route. Two airlines, Rwandair and Air Uganda ply the route on a daily basis.
“Most people may now even find it cheaper to travel by bus, despite the distance,” he said.
Analysts predict increased investment in the transport sector will promote regional integration by boosting trade and free movement of persons, as desired under the East African Community.
“But it will come with challenges in infrastructural development, in terms of the roads and security along the highways,” says Mr. Steve Muturi, a Kenyan travel consultant who travels on the route frequently.
Rwanda and Ugandan authorities recently launched a joint 24-hour One-Stop border point and simplified trade regime at Gatuna to facilitate easy trans-border transactions. East African states are gearing for the same facility at all their common borders.
Some of the companies plying the route include Akamba and Kampala Coach (both Kenyan), Gaga Coach, Starways, Horizon and Inyange. Already, more companies are said to be eyeing the route
Jaguar, a local company which previously solely plied the route, has deployed a total of 12 buses, with a half plying each side, while Horizon has deployed 4 coaches.
Government transporter, Onatracom, deploys between three and four buses from either side daily, depending on travel demand.
