Several petrol stations in Masaka are running out of fuel, as passenger service vehicle drivers ground services in protest against the rising fuel prices.
With the strike in its first day, drivers along the Masaka-Nyendo stage have decided to park more than 100 vehicles near the Mayor's gardens, leaving passengers stranded.
Several Passengers were this morning seen plying the Nyendo –Masaka road stretch on foot, after drivers hiked the transport costs from 500 shillings to 1,000 shillings.
Ssaka Kakooza, the chairman, Nyendo driver's stage, says the drivers in Masaka are frustrated by the rise in the cost of petrol, which is steadily eating into their profits.
The price of petrol in Masaka has shot up from 2,900 shillings per litter to between 4,500 and 5,000 shillings.
The steady rise in the price of petrol resulted into the rise in transport costs, which Kakooza says have been strongly opposed by the passengers. He says that he has met the wrath of angry passengers who are not ready to add a shilling on the costs of transport.
Kakooza says that the drivers will keep their vehicles grounded for as long as it takes the prices of petrol to stabilize.
Fuel station owners are equally stranded. Moses Mugisha, the supervisor, Mogas petrol station in Masaka town, says fuel supplies have reduced and it could take some time before the prices can stabilize.
The Ongoing repairs at the Mombasa Oil jet, have contributed to the ongoing fuel crisis.
