Uganda’s mobility landscape is undergoing a digital shift with the launch of SafariShare, a multimodal transport marketplace designed to connect passengers, operators, and agents through a single integrated system.
The platform, unveiled in Kampala on Saturday, comes with a strategic partnership with the Uganda Bus Operators Association, a move developers say will bridge the gap between traditional transport services and emerging digital solutions.
Initially built on a carpooling model that attracted more than 20,000 downloads between 2020 and 2022, SafariShare is now expanding into a broader marketplace offering online bus ticketing, a multi-operator directory, mobile money payments, and a comprehensive bus management system.
Developers say the platform is designed to address persistent inefficiencies in transport ecosystem by linking passengers to verified operators through transparent pricing, real-time schedules, and passenger reviews.
For operators, the system introduces tools to manage routes, monitor seat availability, track passengers, and improve revenue accountability—features expected to enhance operational efficiency across the sector.
Payments are integrated with major mobile money services, including MTN and Airtel, as well as M-Pesa, alongside a USSD option aimed at users without smartphones or reliable internet access.
According to Smart Mobility Consultant Beatrice Birimuye, the partnership with UBOA provides critical industry support and lays the groundwork for a more coordinated national transport network.
“SafariShare is built to bridge the gap between traditional transport systems and digital innovation,” she said, adding that the collaboration and an upcoming agent network are intended to expand both access and economic opportunity.
A key next phase for the platform is the rollout of a nationwide network of registered agents, who will facilitate bookings on behalf of customers and earn commissions via mobile money.
This model is expected to extend services into underserved areas while creating income opportunities tied to the transport sector.
SafariShare’s roadmap goes beyond bus travel, with plans to incorporate carpooling, special hire services, self-drive rentals, and parcel delivery using existing bus routes to move goods more efficiently.
A native mobile application is expected in the third quarter of 2026, while integration with Google Maps Transit is also planned—potentially increasing visibility to millions of users searching for routes.
The platform is supported by the Uganda Communications Commission through its E-Booster Programme and operates in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
International backing includes Agence Française de Développement and the World Resources Institute, signalling broader confidence in the platform’s potential to contribute to smarter and more sustainable mobility solutions.
With ambitions to evolve into a fully integrated transport marketplace, SafariShare is positioning itself at the intersection of technology and mobility, betting that digital coordination can transform how Ugandans move both people and goods.
