Julius Nkunda
Police in Rubanda on Tuesday August 25th at around 1pm intercepted a bus for disobedience of presidential directives by loading excess passengers and foreigners.
The bus that was travelling from Kisoro to Kampala was intercepted in Rubanda district by traffic police and other sister security agencies.
The motorvehicle, registration number UBE 978Z, of Kwizera Executive Bus Co. was being driven by a one Stephen Mwebe, of 40 years, a resident of Bukasa village, Bakuli ward, Rubaga division Kampala.
The mini-bus was ferrying 36 passengers, less by only three passengers to make it to its full capacity of 39, contrary to the presidential directives of carrying half number to avoid congestion hence the spread of COVID 19.
10 of the 36 passengers were also Cong5olese nationals, again contrary to a ban on foreign nationals entering Uganda.
The female conductor one Tukamushaba Cissy could not explain why they did so and were therefore directed to go back to Kisoro Police station where they were to be charged from and cause the foreigners to be repatriated.
It is not clear how the bus, with both the excess passengers and foreigners went past the security checkpoint at Kanaba, at the boundary of Kisoro and Rubanda districts.
Last week, another bus from Kisoro was intercepted at the same point with DRC nationals who were repatriated.
Buses to and from Kampala are also seen ferrying excess passengers without obeying the set Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), which risks the transmission of Covid-19.
Two weeks ago, security authorities in Kisoro promised to hold a meeting with all transport companies operating in Kisoro to enforce implementation of the Covid-19 directives, but we are yet to see results of that meeting.
Covid-19 cases continue to soar in the country, currently standing at 2,426 and 25 deaths, with scientists blaming this to failure by the public to follow the set guidelines.
Many see the rise in numbers a reason for President Yoweri Museveni to throw the country into another lockdown, which may be communicated during his address this week.
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