Online taxi firm Uber launched in Kampala

Uber has launched its services in Uganda’s capital Kampala, adding a fourth sub-Saharan African market for the rapidly-expanding ride-hailing company.

Kampala becomes the 462nd city and the 10th city in Africa to be connected to Uber. A statement by Uber says the launch follows the success of the technology platform in many other growing cities.

The US company also announced it will start operations in two other countries in the region within a month, Alon Lits, the GM of Uber Africa, told reporters in the Ugandan capital.

SSA RGM, Litsvinnig addressing members of the media at our press conference in Kampala this morning. #MoveUGANDA pic.twitter.com/RRjOnozu7E

— Uber Uganda (uber_uganda) June 2, 2016

“We are inspired by the city’s rapidly developing infrastructure,” Lits said. The company “looks forward to giving people in the city an affordable, easy and flexible choice to move around the city safely and reliably.”

Uber has signed up “hundreds” of drivers in Kampala to work with the company, which allows passengers to summon cars using a smartphone app, Lits said.

A statement by Uber says the launch follows the success of the technology platform in many other growing cities, with an indication the ride-sharing app is planning to settle in other African cities including Dar es Salaam and Accra in the coming months.

The taxi operator has however faced resistance from traditional taxi drivers in almost all the 60 countries it is operational but Uber is undeterred and believes these reactions are typical of taxi monopolies working hard to protect their turf.