Public Transportation

When you think of public transportation you probably think of an organized group of bus drivers such as GRATA (Grand Rapids Area Transit Authority) or a taxi service organization such as Yellow Cab or Metro. In Uganda, the buses only make long trips and are not prevalent for around town trips. Of course the only road in the area is Entebbe Road, which goes from Entebbe airport to Kampala, about 30 km. Kampala has a ton of roads with mortar shell holes that remain unfixed from the Idi Amin days of the late 70s and early 80s.

The taxi vans all look alike and are part of a semi-organized group that doesn’t mind stuffing16 people in space made for 12. You need to know what the place looks like that you want to go so that as you drive by you holler to stop. Half the van unpacks to let you out of the back corner and then you all reload until the next stop.

Boda bodas (125cc motorcycles) are everywhere and are operated by self-employed men (not women). Gabriel knows many boda drivers and has given Lauren their contact information so that she can call a trustworthy driver when needed. Bodas drive on the shoulder of the road, not on the main road in traffic. Bikes also ride on the shoulder and people walk on the shoulder too. Sometimes the shoulder of the road is much busier than the road itself. Whatever the case, the roads are congested, unruly, and require Atari Frogger skills like no other.

After church, Lauren and I wanted to go to Goretti’s Beachside Pizzeria and Grill for lunch. Goretti’s is a beautiful place with outdoor seating on the beach of very warm Lake Victoria. On a hot day dipping my toes in the water is priceless. Gabriel could not come with us so he called two trustworthy boda drivers to pick us up from the way uphill dirt road of the church (remember Lauren’s broken foot). 1,000 shilling each. They dropped us at a taxi stand headed in the correct direction at the bottom of the hill. From there we taxied to some road about 10 km away. 700 shilling (although most taxis charge mzungo more, this one did not). Good thing Lauren knew when to holler. The first thing the boda driver, who took me from Entebbe road to Goretti’s, said was, “You are safe with me.” I’m not sure why but that comment did not help me at all. He was a good driver though. 500 shillings.

So…today was the first time ever that I took public transportation to get anywhere in Uganda. 1,200 shillings (about $0.60) for maybe seven miles one way. Yea me!