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Paratransit modes dominate the public transportation industry in the majority of developing countries, especially those in Sub‐Saharan Africa. The number of these modes has increased rapidly over the years. Authorities have not yet been able to provide a better alternative for passengers, whose demand is ever‐growing. In this research, the main modes of public transport in a Sub‐Saharan African city, Kampala, have been studied. Here we used multi‐criteria decision‐making methods to find out which among the four major public transport modes in Kampala, Uganda, are best from a transportation operator's perspective. The evaluation of alternatives was conducted using Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Elimination Et Choice Translating Reality (ELECTRE III) methods. Both the ANP and the ELECTRE III analysis results demonstrate that alternative "Coaster" is the most appropriate alternative from a public transport operator's point of view. A sensitivity analysis consisting of four different scenarios was considered in the changing of weighting percentages (for benefit, cost, and risk clusters) in the ANP and the ELECTRE III analyses, to show the robustness of the ranking results. According to the sensitivity analysis results, there was no change in the final ranking. The findings of this paper are crucial to policymakers within the transportation sectors of developing countries. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:25–38. © 2021 SETAC KEY POINTS: Four different transport modes were ranked via two Multi‐Criteria Decision‐Making methods considering 15 different criteria.Global warming potential and fossil fuel based abiotic depletion potential (ADPff) criteria values were obtained by using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology.The Analytic Network Process and Elimination Et Choice Translating Reality (ELECTRE III) methods indicate that "Coaster" is the best alternative compared to the other three modes of transport.Safety is the most important assessment criterion followed by tiresomeness for drivers (driver exhaustion). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]