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Kampala Traffic Congestion: Lessons from Lagos, Dar and Addis

Kampala loses an estimated $1.2 million a day to gridlock; Lagos, Dar es Salaam and Addis Ababa show the congestion is not inevitable.

Draga Osman Brahan
Draga Osman Brahan

Founder & Chief Editor · 28 June 2026 · 4 min read

White-and-blue minibus taxis crowding Kampala's Old Taxi Park as commuters weave between vehicles
Kampala's Old Taxi Park at dusk, the backbone of the city's informal transport system.

KAMPALA, Uganda - The Old Taxi Park remains one of Kampala's most recognisable landmarks: a constantly moving maze of white-and-blue minibuses, passengers rushing between destinations, and the unmistakable energy of a city that never slows down.

Every day, thousands of commuters pass through this crowded hub, the backbone of Kampala's informal public transport system. Yet beneath the movement and activity lies a deeper challenge that has come to define the city's urban experience: congestion.

The packed vehicles, persistent horns and crowded pedestrian spaces tell the story of a capital struggling to keep pace with rapid population growth. The Old Taxi Park is not merely a transport centre. It is a reflection of Kampala itself: a city expanding quickly while its infrastructure struggles to catch up.

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Draga Osman Brahan
Draga Osman Brahan

Founder & Chief Editor

Founder and Chief Editor of Osmara Digital Media. Journalist and historian telling Africa's stories through an African lens, from West Nile to the continent.

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