Transport fares along various routes in Kitgum district have shot up, operators have said. Fares have increased ranging from sh2,000 to sh5,000 depending on the route.

Kitgum to Kampala now goes for sh30,000, up from sh25,000, Kitgum to Lira charges sh15,000, up from sh12,000, while Kitgum to Gulu is up by sh2,000 to sh12,000.

Petrol in Kitgum town was on Monday selling for sh4,000 per litre while diesel fetched sh3,700. Operators have blamed the hike on the escalating fuel and commodity prices.

Lee Ocen, the Felistars Bus Company Kitgum station manager, explained that the high prices coupled with bad roads were the major cause for the increase, which range between sh2,000 and sh5,000.

"We found it necessary to increase our fares now because the fuel prices that have been increasing since March are threatening to cripple our businesses. The increase in spare parts has also contributed to this decision," Ocen said.

He cited tyres which now go for sh1.3m, up from sh800,000 a few months back.

He noted that fuelling a bus from Kitgum to and back costs sh1.2m, up from sh.800,000.