Five unroadworthy buses impounded in Busia

Oct 12, 2016

“We have established that most of these buses are in poor mechanical state."

PIC: It is ugly scenes like these that the traffic police are trying hard to prevent. (File photo)

In an effort to reduce the rate of road accidents and ensure passenger safety, the police in Busia town have impounded five buses not fit to be on the road.

In the same operation dubbed fika salama - loosely translated as reach safe - five bus drivers were also arrested.

The area police commander Nelson Nahabwe said the seized buses were plying the Nairobi-Kampala-Kigali interstate highway.

He said all the vehicles were in dangerous mechanical condition and put the lives of travelers at risk.

"We have established that most of these buses are in poor mechanical state yet they travel long distances," said Nahabwe, adding that this has been the main cause of accidents that have claimed many lives.

The inspector of vehicles based in the region in Tororo was notified to inspect the vehicles as his assessment would lead to the suspects being arraigned in court and subsequently charged.

DPC Nahabwe said passengers aboard the confiscated buses were put on other roadworthy buses.

He appealed to bus owners and companies to ensure that they meet the Ugandan road requirements or risk being blacklisted from using Ugandan roads.

Declining to give the names of the arrested drivers, Nahabwe also warned of more such impromptu operations.

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