Police Rejects Bus Drivers’ Request For Return Trips

Bus drivers who use upcountry routes will not be allowed to make return trips during this busy festive season, Police has ordered.

Assistant commissioner of police in-charge of traffic in the Kampala Metropolitan region Mr Lawrence Niwabiine on Monday maintained that the limit on return trips for drivers will not be lifted.

On Monday bus operators went on strike to protest the ban that limits them from making return trips, a move that left many passengers stranded, however, according to Niwabiine, the ban will remain in place to check reckless driving.

He also added that the law does not allow return trips for any journey above 300kms.

The bus operators protested saying they needed to make those trips to service their loans.

Uganda has a poor road safety record, over the weekend, 10 people lost their lives while 25 were left nursing wounds due to road accidents.

During the festive season, bus operators take advantage of people travelling upcountry to celebrate with family and friends by hiking prices and making return trips which puts passengers’ lives in danger.