The State Minister for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has suspended the operations of Nile Star Bus Company for 30 days following a fatal road accident in Nwoya District that claimed seven lives.
The suspension takes immediate effect as investigations into the company’s safety record and operational standards get underway, according to officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The accident occurred in the early hours of May 4, 2026, at around 1:30 a.m. at Lapok Mor in Nwoya District. A Nile Star Bus, registration number UBP 736U, collided with a truck from South Sudan, resulting in seven deaths on the spot and several injuries.
Minister Byamukama said the decision to suspend the company was informed by its troubling accident record.
“Since May 2025 to date, according to a police report, the bus has been involved in 11 accidents resulting in 56 deaths and 91 injuries,” he said.
He revealed that the ministry had held a meeting with the company’s owners and their legal representatives, directing them to halt operations by 6pm for one month to allow a comprehensive review of their operations.
“We instructed them to stop operations for one month to enable the ministry review its operations countrywide,” he said.
Authorities also confirmed that the bus driver, identified as Abugo Mandela, 64, is in police custody pending court proceedings.
According to preliminary findings, the driver had previously worked with another bus company but was dismissed over alleged misconduct and had reportedly been involved in multiple past accidents.
Beyond the suspension, the minister directed Nile Star Bus Company to fully compensate the families of the deceased, warning against minimal support practices.
“This time it is not business as usual where government has been assisting families. We have directed the owners of Nile Star buses to compensate all the seven families who lost their loved ones,” Byamukama said.
He added that the move is intended to send a strong signal to transport operators and drivers to prioritise road safety and accountability.
The incident has renewed concerns over road safety standards among public transport operators, with authorities indicating that stricter enforcement measures could follow as investigations continue.
