Taxis in Uganda are what they call ‘matatus’ in Kenya. They are small buses that take about 12 people (in Uganda easily 18). They stop wherever is convinient on the main streets to pick up or drop passengers with no designated stops. When there is a lot of traffic they might take smaller streets to avoid getting stuck in a jam. Most taxis drive to Soroti Taxi Park in Soroti. When you want to hail a taxi all you have to do is waving with your left hand and they will stop for you.
The conductor is responsible for informing passengers where the taxi is
going and the fare cost(s). He also collects the money from the passengers.
He might say things like:
Tororo ilukumin iyare
To Tororo is two thousand
Napolon/Loapolon ilosi ijo kede
iso?
Madam/Sir, are you coming with
us?
Irenge! (Ederepa is ‘Driver’)
Drive! (lit.: chastising birds =
Irenge ikwenyi)
Kaloto(to) ngaren. (to the driver)
Let’s go on/ahead
Ikopakisi/Koinakisi eong ikapun!
Please pass me your fare!
Lukoingaren, koinakisi eong
ikapun/isirigin!
The remaining passengers seated
in the front, give me your fare!
Ikopakisi/koinakisi eong ikapun!
Pass the fare to me!
Ejai yen edokuni kositeji/kama
egwoya?
Is anyone getting off at the stage?
Ejaasi luekotos adokun?
Are any passengers getting off?
To the conductor:
Loapolon, aibo iyangari ijo eong?
Sir, where are you taking me to?
Loapolon, akoto eong alosit Kumi
Sir, I want to go to Kumi
Loapolon, aso.
Sir, take it (when giving the fare)
Loapolon, ajaas eong kede anotin
nuapolok. Ebeit ijo ainyakakin
eong isirigin ka icie or ebalans,
cabo?
Sir, I only have ‘big money notes’
(like 20,000). You’re going to give
me my balance, right?
Inyakakinai eong isirigin/ebalans
ka
Give me my balance
Getting out:
You don’t have to wait for a stage or a ‘bus stop’ to get out, all you have to
do is use one of the following phrases and the taxi will stop.
Kobwou/kogwo kangina/kanen!
Stop there! (In front there!)
Kobwou/kogwo kane idumunia
ijo apak!
Stop wherever you find space
Ositeji/Agwaete ngol/ngina!
At the stage over there!
Ngina!
Over there!
Kopaik atutubet ngin!
Stop at that place!
Kopaik ne epeere akiring!
Stop at the barbecue place!
Idokuni ijo?
Are you getting off?
Adokuni eong!
I’m getting off!
Taking a boda
When taking a motorcycle hire (knicknamed boda boda) in Ocor Imongin, it
is easy. They will always look for passengers (customers) and usually they
will talk to you before you even seek for them. Bodas do not drive on paved
roads only, they will take you anywhere you want. They are popular for
avoiding traffic jams in Kampala. Although they are very convenient, taking
a boda is also very expensive and risky. Unlike in the taxi where prices are
fixed, you have bargain a lot with the boda boda drivers.