Passenger demands sh72m from bus company

By Andante Okanya

A passenger has dragged Gateway Bus Services to court, demanding sh72.7m compensation, alleging that he was thrown off a moving bus this year in May, which subsequently led to his left leg being amputated.

On November 15, John  Baptist Oringi filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala, demanding compensation. He states that his predicament has incapacitated him.

Through Okecha Baranyanga and Company Advocates, he narrates that his woes begun on May 20, when he boarded the company bus registration number KBF 654H.

He states that he was at Bweyale in Masindi, and was headed to Kampala.Oringi says on reaching the city suburb of Bwaise, a few kilometres from the Makerere University western gate, he requested the conductor to disembark at the gate.

He further narrates that the conductor asked him to consult the turnman, who rudely declined the polite request.

Oringi states that as he persistently pleaded, the turn man got agitated, and flung him off the bus, as it sped away to the city centre.

“The bus then ran over the plaintiff’s left leg and the bus continued on its course inspite of visiting  grievous harm on the plaintiff’s person,” the plaint states.

Oringi narrates that boda boda riders  at the scene helped him to safety and rushed him to Mulago Hospital. He says they recorded the licence plate of the bus, and tipped traffic Police officer Leah Letaru who gave chase.

Court documents show that the officer in her statement, acknowledged that the driver sped away and at first declined to stop despite being ordered to do so.

Oringi states on May 21, doctors told him that his leg had to be amputated to save his life.

He laments that he has lost six months earnings of sh28m from his mobile money business.Oringi states that he had to pay sh3.6m for an artificial limb.

He has projected the cost of replacement of a new limb every four years at sh40m. Oringi states that he has incurred costs of sh1.1m to treat his wounds, which translates to sh72.7m.

He states that despite repeated requests for compensation, the company has ignored his pleas.

The company is yet to file its defence. A hearing date is yet to be scheduled.