Interstate buses resume operations

TRANSPORT | INTERSTATE | BUSES

KAMPALA - Some interstate buses to and from neighbouring countries have resumed operation.

Different bus companies to Kenya were Tuesday loading passengers from Namayiba bus terminal in Kampala.

Nelson Sekandi, the operations manager for this bus terminal said all travellers were required to have valid Covid-19 test certificates on top of meeting other Ministry of Health standard operating procedures (SOPs) to control the spread of Covid-19.

Interstate bus operators recently petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, over delayed opening of their operations from Covid-19 lockdown.

Represented by Moses Baleka, the General Secretary for National Union of Drivers, Cyclists and Allied Workers (NUDCAW) wanted the Speaker to consider the general livelihood for the interstate bus crews who are have been redundant for almost a year.

He said grounded buses have already developed mechanical defects and tyres flattened.

"Interstate bus operators are highly indebted by banks where they secured loans for transaction of these buses," said Baleka.  

Interstate bus operations had been left out when the President eased the Covid-19 lockdown for public service vehicles including commuter taxis and buses plying internal routes a mid-last year.

Over 35 bus companies are plying regional routes to neighbouring countries and beyond.

With opening of bus operations for internal routes, several interstate bus companies applied for temporary licenses for operating local routes.

Robert Mutebi, the general secretary for United Bus Owners Association (UBOA) said though they had not yet been officially notified about the arrangement, the decision has been long overdue.