Rwanda blocks Uganda buses
Dec 28, 2006
HUNDREDS of passengers were stranded at the border in Katuna as the Rwandan authorities were not allowing any Ugandan buses to cross, citing poor mechanical condition.
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
HUNDREDS of passengers were stranded at the border in Katuna as the Rwandan authorities were not allowing any Ugandan buses to cross, citing poor mechanical condition.
The measure, which was introduced on Tuesday, forced most bus drivers to return to Kampala and the passengers to find alternative ways to reach their destination.
The authorities in Kigali said the move was prompted by the high number of accidents. They in particular referred to one accident involving a Ugandan Jaguar bus, which killed a Rwandan peasant and injured several others.
“We are concerned about the mechanical condition of some of the buses. We have asked our technicians to assess the buses before they resume operations. It was after the recent accident that we decided that all buses should be inspected so that they meet our road safety standards,†Rwanda’s transport chief Stanislas Kamanzi said.
A Kigali-bound Jaguar bus was on Christmas eve involved in an accident between Mbarara and Ntungamo. One person was killed and nine injured in the crash.
Speaking on phone from Kigali, Kamanzi said they had asked the operators to go back and install speed governors and improve the general condition of their buses.
“It is not a ban. Once the assessment has been done and the buses are proven to be road worthy, they will resume operations immediately,†he said.
The affected companies are Jaguar, Gaso, Onatroken and Regional bus companies. Buses sent from Kigali have been picking some passengers and goods from the border.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Uganda Ignatius Kamali revealed that meetings have been held with the bus operators to implement certain safety measures but little has been implemented. “The latest meeting was held on Tuesday this week, during which it was agreed that there must be inspectors in each bus to ensure discipline,†Kamali said.
Muzamil Lukum, the manager of a Kampala bus terminal, said yesterday, “Ugandan buses are not entering Kigali.
Those which left on Tuesday came back the same evening after they were denied entry.â€
He, however, denied that their buses were in poor mechanical condition.
HUNDREDS of passengers were stranded at the border in Katuna as the Rwandan authorities were not allowing any Ugandan buses to cross, citing poor mechanical condition.
The measure, which was introduced on Tuesday, forced most bus drivers to return to Kampala and the passengers to find alternative ways to reach their destination.
The authorities in Kigali said the move was prompted by the high number of accidents. They in particular referred to one accident involving a Ugandan Jaguar bus, which killed a Rwandan peasant and injured several others.
“We are concerned about the mechanical condition of some of the buses. We have asked our technicians to assess the buses before they resume operations. It was after the recent accident that we decided that all buses should be inspected so that they meet our road safety standards,†Rwanda’s transport chief Stanislas Kamanzi said.
A Kigali-bound Jaguar bus was on Christmas eve involved in an accident between Mbarara and Ntungamo. One person was killed and nine injured in the crash.
Speaking on phone from Kigali, Kamanzi said they had asked the operators to go back and install speed governors and improve the general condition of their buses.
“It is not a ban. Once the assessment has been done and the buses are proven to be road worthy, they will resume operations immediately,†he said.
The affected companies are Jaguar, Gaso, Onatroken and Regional bus companies. Buses sent from Kigali have been picking some passengers and goods from the border.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Uganda Ignatius Kamali revealed that meetings have been held with the bus operators to implement certain safety measures but little has been implemented. “The latest meeting was held on Tuesday this week, during which it was agreed that there must be inspectors in each bus to ensure discipline,†Kamali said.
Muzamil Lukum, the manager of a Kampala bus terminal, said yesterday, “Ugandan buses are not entering Kigali.
Those which left on Tuesday came back the same evening after they were denied entry.â€
He, however, denied that their buses were in poor mechanical condition.