Relatives rush to Bududa
Huge numbers of people are travelling to Bugisu sub-region in the east following the massive landslide in Bududa district on <br>Monday.
By Taddeo Bwambale, Brian Mayanja and Justus Akampa
Huge numbers of people are travelling to Bugisu sub-region in the east following the massive landslide in Bududa district on
Monday.
Dozens of people braved the morning rains on Wednesday as they flocked bus and taxi parks headed to the affected region.
By midday, the Uganda Bus Terminal, near the Old Taxi Park, had no buses to Mbale, while those at the Qualicel Bus Terminal filled quickly.
The operators, however, said most people travelled on Wednesday. “On Wednesday, buses plying the Kampala-Mbale route were forced to change schedules to serve the large numbers. Our last bus which was meant to leave at 5:00pm, left at 4:00pm,†said Muzamil Bogere, a booking officer with Elgon Flyer Services.
“Most of the passengers are going home to locate or mourn their relatives, families and friends,†another operator said.
Some estimates put the number of the missing people, now feared dead, at about 400. Many others are admitted in various hospitals.
Nalea Coaches bus company subsidised fares for those who claimed to be travelling to locate their relatives. The passengers paid sh9,000 instead of the usual sh10,000.
By 2:00pm yesterday, 35 buses had plied the Kampala-Mbale route, twice the number that travel the same route daily.
A booking officer of Lubra Coaches noted that the number of passengers was expected to increase as people continue to travel to the scene of the disaster.
The taxi parks were crowded as several passengers tried to find quick means to the Mt. Elgon region.
Ismail Wakanka, a taxi driver at the Old Taxi Park, said: “The number of people travelling that route has increased to almost that experienced during the Christmas season. Although the turn-up is high, we have not increased the fares.â€
The operators, however, predicted an increase in fares for passengers leaving Mbale to Bududa and those returning to Kampala because the roads have been affected by the landslides.
A passenger, Lawrence Mugonya, said he was heading home to try and locate his parents in Bukalasi sub-county.
“My mother called yesterday and told me that the family is homeless. I have to be with them at this moment. My animals were killed and crops destroyed. I do not know where to start. I am worried about what is at home,†he said. Harriet Mukite, on her part, said she was going to join her grieving family after her uncle and niece were buried by the landslide.
Huge numbers of people are travelling to Bugisu sub-region in the east following the massive landslide in Bududa district on
Monday.
Dozens of people braved the morning rains on Wednesday as they flocked bus and taxi parks headed to the affected region.
By midday, the Uganda Bus Terminal, near the Old Taxi Park, had no buses to Mbale, while those at the Qualicel Bus Terminal filled quickly.
The operators, however, said most people travelled on Wednesday. “On Wednesday, buses plying the Kampala-Mbale route were forced to change schedules to serve the large numbers. Our last bus which was meant to leave at 5:00pm, left at 4:00pm,†said Muzamil Bogere, a booking officer with Elgon Flyer Services.
“Most of the passengers are going home to locate or mourn their relatives, families and friends,†another operator said.
Some estimates put the number of the missing people, now feared dead, at about 400. Many others are admitted in various hospitals.
Nalea Coaches bus company subsidised fares for those who claimed to be travelling to locate their relatives. The passengers paid sh9,000 instead of the usual sh10,000.
By 2:00pm yesterday, 35 buses had plied the Kampala-Mbale route, twice the number that travel the same route daily.
A booking officer of Lubra Coaches noted that the number of passengers was expected to increase as people continue to travel to the scene of the disaster.
The taxi parks were crowded as several passengers tried to find quick means to the Mt. Elgon region.
Ismail Wakanka, a taxi driver at the Old Taxi Park, said: “The number of people travelling that route has increased to almost that experienced during the Christmas season. Although the turn-up is high, we have not increased the fares.â€
The operators, however, predicted an increase in fares for passengers leaving Mbale to Bududa and those returning to Kampala because the roads have been affected by the landslides.
A passenger, Lawrence Mugonya, said he was heading home to try and locate his parents in Bukalasi sub-county.
“My mother called yesterday and told me that the family is homeless. I have to be with them at this moment. My animals were killed and crops destroyed. I do not know where to start. I am worried about what is at home,†he said. Harriet Mukite, on her part, said she was going to join her grieving family after her uncle and niece were buried by the landslide.