Transport ministry suspends Nile Star bus operations
“We are suspending operations of Nile Star buses with immediate effect for 30 days from 6pm today. Any bus belonging to Nile Star that will be found operating today after 6pm should be impounded by Police," Byamukama said.
The minister said that in a period of one year (since last May), Nile Star buses have been involved in 11 road crashes that have collectively claimed the lives of 91 people and injured 56.
KAMPALA - Two days after a Kampala-bound Nile Star bus collided with a trailer in Nwoya district, leading to the deaths of seven people onboard, the transport ministry has suspended the bus company's operations.
The month-long suspension takes immediate effect, transport state minister Fred Byamukama told a press conference on Wednesday.
“We are suspending operations of Nile Star buses with immediate effect for 30 days from 6pm today. Any bus belonging to Nile Star that will be found operating today after 6pm should be impounded by Police," he said.
Four passengers died on the spot in Monday's crash that occurred just after 1am in Lapok Mor village, according to a Police statement.
Three others succumbed to their injuries in hospital. Sixteen other travellers were seriously injured.
The Nile Star bus was on its way from Arua heading to Kampala. Police findings indicated that the driver of the bus tried to overtake two vehicles ahead, and in the process, the bus collided head-on with an oncoming trailer.
The month-long suspension takes immediate effect, transport state minister Fred Byamukama told a press conference on Wednesday. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)
"Eyewitnesses onboard reported that the driver had been driving recklessly throughout the journey. Despite raising concerns, passengers were allegedly dismissed by the conductor instead of appropriate action being taken," Police said.
The same information was corroborated by minister Byabakama, who added that the driver, identified as Mandella Abugo Kadin, was reportedly intoxicated at the time.
The minister said that in a period of one year (since last May), Nile Star buses have been involved in 11 road crashes that have collectively claimed the lives of 91 people and injured 56.
He said most of the crashes associated with the company's buses have happened during night hours.
Byabakama said this could point to driver fatigue "but more importantly, to poor management of the driver schedules by the bus company management".