Why I Love Kampala Matatus
Whoever knows me well is conversant with the fact that I very rarely take commuter taxis in Kampala (better known as matatus elsewhere in East Africa). Reasons for not regularly taking taxis are many and varied but occasionally I do take a matatu when I am not in a hurry or when the principles of economics dictate that it is the only sensible thing to do. Over the years, I have been intrigued by what goes on in taxis. For some reason things seem to be done loudly in Kampala taxis. From eating, speaking on phones to private conversations between people, the occupants in that moving box seem to be loud. It is therefore not unusual that you will ‘forcefully listen’ into conversations that you aren’t even remotely interested in. On this lazy Sunday afternoon, there are about five of us in the matatu and the driver is not in a hurry to drive off. We have stopped at one of the regular stops along the route and the engine is i...