STELLA T
Transport fares in Rukungiri District have remained stable as students and pupils return for their third term, starting on Monday, 16th September 2024. Despite rising fuel prices, many bus companies have chosen not to increase fares.
Bus companies such as Perfect, Savana, and Kasaba Starlink, which travel to Kampala, have maintained the fare at 40,000 shillings for the Rukungiri to Kampala route. Joshua Kazoba, the Chairman of Rukungiri District Transporters, explained that the bus companies agreed to keep fares stable, stating that the current situation is manageable. He noted that although they are not expecting significant profits, the decision was made as a gesture of goodwill to their clients. Additionally, fewer students are returning to school compared to previous terms, which further justifies maintaining the current fares.
Kazoba also mentioned that taxi fares from Rukungiri to surrounding areas remain unchanged: between 10,000 and 15,000 shillings to nearby towns, and between 20,000 and 25,000 shillings for Rukungiri to Mbarara. Despite the challenges posed by the fuel price hikes, the low number of students returning to school has helped keep transport costs steady.
In an interview with our reporter, Tumusime Jonacent, a trader in Rukungiri Municipality who deals in stationery, expressed disappointment over the low turnout during this back-to-school season. He noted a significant drop in customer traffic compared to previous terms, with many students and parents showing little interest in purchasing essential materials like pens, books, pencils, and mathematical sets, opting instead to reuse items from earlier terms.
Similarly, Atuzarirwe Justus, a trader specializing in metallic school cases, remarked that the third term does not typically bring in high sales, as students tend to reuse their cases from previous terms. He shared that despite hopes for increased business during the back-to-school period, the reality has been underwhelming, citing factors such as school availability and a smaller student population.
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