Kigezi Region Tackles Transport Woes with Police-Bus Company Collaboration
KABALE: Police and the Bus Companies in Kigezi Region committed to improve collaboration among themselves in ensuring sanity and better service delivery in the transport industry.
This was during a security meeting held on Friday, January 24, 2025, between the police of Kigezi and managers of bus companies operating in Kabale District.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy RPC SSP Kawalya James, aimed to address numerous complaints and public outcry against the bus transport industry.
Several issues were discussed during the meeting, including:
* Lack of Bus Terminal: Buses congesting the area around Munalisa, causing double parking and inconvenience to other road users.
* Safety Concerns: Buses parking on the wrong side of the road, exposing passengers to danger, and the need for improved safety mechanisms.
* Unregistered Bus Guides: Unemployed individuals posing as bus guides, issuing fake receipts, and overcharging passengers.
* Deceptive Practices: Buses deceiving passengers about their destinations and dumping them along the way.
* Boda Boda Issues: Boda bodas jamming the stage, obstructing passengers, and stealing their properties.
* Overloading and Reckless Driving: Buses overloading, especially at night, and conductors driving carelessly while over speeding.
* Alleged Poisoning: Recent reports of alleged poisoning of passengers on transit, with four cases registered at CPS Kabale for investigation.
To address the raised concerns, the meeting resolved to:
– Improve Safety Mechanisms: Install safety features like cameras in buses.
– Enhance Customer Service: Bus officials to become customer-friendly, take proper care of passengers, and communicate regularly about potential dangers.
– Regulate Stopovers: Buses to avoid unnecessary stopovers and allow passengers to disembark only at designated fuel stations or recognized supermarkets.
– Register Bus Workers: Bus companies to register their workers and provide lists to the police and executive committee.
– Uniforms and Identification: Bus staff to wear company uniforms with clear identification numbers within two weeks.
The meeting was attended by the regional staff that included; R/CID D/SSP Wathum Benson ,R/CLO SP Mwebembezi Gilbert CAGS, RTO SP Mahad, PRO ASP Maate Elly and the PSU D/IP Tumushabe Silver.
Others are the district team comprising the DPC SP Okello Charles, OC Traffic ASP Mucunguzi Wilson and some crime intelligence staff.
The meeting was also attended by representatives from various bus companies, including Bapakasi, Jaguar, Bismarkan, Friends, Link, Gateway, Baby Coach, Horizon, Volcano, and Trinity.
