Kadaga calls for strict regulation of buses

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has called for tight regulation of buses in light of the Gaaga bus accident at Kiryandongo where more than 22 people lost their lives.

Kadaga asked government to establish strict standard operating procedures for buses, especially reducing or altogether regulating night travels and traveling with a permanent marshall who should be a police officer to enforce upon drivers matters relating to safety of passengers.

In a statement, Kadaga said: “The pain of losing dear ones to road accidents is becoming very common on our roads, yet recent accidents are evidence that the country seems not to be picking lessons from such tragedies."

A developing nation like Uganda, said Kadaga, should not lose the desperately needed human resource that will anchor the progress the nation deserves.

Being a country of many deaths on the road, observed the Speaker, it does not help the country’s march to progress in light of the tears such tragedies leave on the face of many, and the orphans the accidents create.

Kadaga asked government and all citizens of good will to extend all forms of support to the bereaved families and the injured, especially ensuring that the orphans get good education so their future is not jeopardised by the loss of dear ones.

In the interim, Kadaga called for speedy and conclusive investigations into the accident, the outcome of which should guide a national intervention to lessen and end such episodes of tragedy that befalls the country every so often.