Old Taxi Park at Breaking Point: Kampala’s Transport Hub Struggles With Congestion

KAMPALA — Kampala’s Old Taxi Park, one of the city’s busiest public transport hubs, is facing growing congestion as taxis, motorcycles, pedestrians, traders and private vehicles compete for limited space.

The park serves thousands of passengers every day travelling to different parts of Kampala and destinations outside the capital. But the high volume of traffic has increasingly turned movement around the facility into a daily challenge. During peak hours, passengers can be seen squeezing through crowded spaces as taxis manoeuvre to pick up and drop off travellers. The situation becomes even more difficult when vehicles queue along surrounding roads, slowing traffic and creating bottlenecks.

For commuters, congestion at the park is more than an inconvenience. It can add significant time to journeys, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.

Taxi operators also face challenges as they compete for loading space and attempt to move through the crowded park.

The congestion has raised questions about whether the Old Taxi Park, designed for a different era of Kampala’s growth, can continue to accommodate the increasing demand for public transport.

Kampala has expanded rapidly in recent years, with a growing population and increasing demand for affordable transportation. Taxis remain an important part of the city's public transport system, particularly for residents who depend on them for daily commuting.

However, the pressure on the Old Taxi Park has also created challenges for pedestrians. With vehicles and motorcycles moving through busy areas, passengers often have limited space to walk safely.

The congestion also affects businesses operating around the park. Traders, restaurants and other businesses depend on the large number of passengers passing through the area, but traffic jams and overcrowding can make access difficult for customers and suppliers.

Urban transport experts have long argued that Kampala needs a coordinated public transport system that separates passenger movement, vehicle operations and pedestrian traffic.

For the Old Taxi Park, possible solutions could include improved traffic management, better enforcement of designated loading areas, improved pedestrian facilities and stronger coordination between taxi operators and city authorities.

The bigger question, however, is whether such measures can provide a lasting solution or whether Kampala needs to rethink the role and capacity of the Old Taxi Park altogether.

As Kampala continues to grow, the congestion at the city's historic transport hub is becoming a visible reminder that transport infrastructure must evolve alongside the city.

For thousands of commuters who pass through the park every day, the hope is simple: a transport system where getting a taxi does not mean getting trapped in congestion.