Transport in Uganda
on Hoggs in Uganda (Uganda), 28/Mar/2010 07:05, 34 days ago
Although maybe not untypical of Africa the public transport options in Uganda are quite different from the UK. In our past blogs we have referred to some of thedifficulties and dangers but we hope you find the following photos interesting and amusing.There has been no passenger trains in Uganda since 1997 so most  journeys are made by the roads which range from good stretches ( some funded by EU money) topothole ridden obstacle courses. Uganda is a relatively small country. roughly 250 miles wide by 300 miles - the the same area as the UK (91,000 sq. miles) accordingto the Bradt guide.  Country-wide travel by coach/bus has its dangers. The Post Office buses are the recommended services but generally the  buses are referred to as‘flying coffins’ and travel at night is not recommended.In the remote areas pick-up can be the only available option but if you are not sitting inside the journey can beprecarious.The taxi service is provided by 14 seat minibuses (referred to as matatus in Kenya). Outside Kampala they are not so well regulated but within Kampala the maximumnumber of passengers varies little from the regulation number of 14. Although chaotic they do seem to be very effective in moving lots of people and you rarely have to waitmore than 5 minutes for one.  A lot of taxis have religious slogans onthe back windows but I don’t know if they are more successful at avoiding breakdowns and collisions.The old taxi park in Kampala.Outside town we believe they can be very overloaded and you may be sharing your seat with a goat.  Inside Kampala the Boda Boda motorcycles provide a taxi service that can beat the traffic jams. In earlier blogs we have mentioned some of the many accidents we haveheard about but for many it’s the most convenient way to get about. We have not had the need or the desire to use them so far. They do provide some amusing sights asthere appears to be nothing that can’t be carried on a Boda Boda. A three-piece suite.Bags of charcoal ChickensAn improvised windshieldBoda boda drivers take a rest.Children come and go from nursery.Bicycles are also a popular form of transport . They provide a taxi service and are also used to carry an amazing variety of loads.Matooke - a staple foodPineapples Kleeneeze!  Bicycle repairs.If you have no wheels you must carry your load. The skills in carrying a load on the head are amazing and taken to an extreme at the Ndere Traditional Dancing Centre in Kampala. Rhona and I have not seen a baby buggy since we arrived. We expect this is because pavements are few and the pedestrian ways are generally rough tracks. So until theycan walk babies are carried in a traditional way. I thank our recent visitors for permission to use some of their photos.