By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
KABALE
Southwestern Uganda bound bus company, Gateway Bus Services is on the spotlight following rising concerns about passenger safety on its buses.
The bus company came under scrutiny after a passenger, Dr. Ronald Arineitwe Kibonire pointed fingers at at their services alleging that he was poisoned and his property stolen inside the bus recently.
In an official appeal to the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner for Transport, and the Ministry of Transport, Dr. Kibonire recounted a disturbing incident that occurred on the night of Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
He explained that he and a friend boarded a Gateway bus from Kampala to Kabale. However, upon reaching their destination, both were in a severe unconscious state. Shockingly, bus officials reportedly abandoned them outside the bus without notifying the police or offering medical assistance.
He noted that his after regaining consciousness, he discovered that he had been robbed of his money and phone.
He reported the incident to Kabale Police Station under SD REF:47/17/12025 on January 18, 2025.
In an interview with Parrots Media, Dr. Kibonire said that he was informed that this was the ninth time such a case was reported to police in just two weeks, suggesting a troubling pattern of deliberate harm to passengers. He suspects two women seated next to him and his friend may have been involved in the poisoning and called on other potential victims from the same night to come forward.
Dr. Kibonire strongly criticized Gateway Bus Services for their failure to take appropriate action and their lack of communication with authorities regarding such incidents. He urged the Ministry of Transport and the Uganda Police Force to launch a comprehensive investigation into the matter, hold those responsible accountable, and enforce measures to ensure passenger safety.
Additionally, Dr. Kibonire made several key demands, including; a thorough investigation into the suspected poisoning incidents involving Gateway buses, immediate action against those responsible for the alleged poisonings- including bus officials who neglected their duty of care, introduction of enhanced safety measures and stricter monitoring protocols for bus operators, and A review of Gateway Bus Services’ practices to prevent future occurrences and to investigate potential criminal activity within the company.
Dr. Kibonire emphasized that passenger safety must remain a top priority and called on authorities to address the issue with urgency to prevent further harm.
Parrots Media has learned that earlier today, January 24, the Kigezi Regional Police convened an urgent security meeting to address rising cases of suspected poisoning and thefts on buses, which have alarmed passengers.
“Of recent, there has been numerous public outcry over issues which, if sorted out, can prevent future insecurity, hence good and improved transport services,” Elly Maate, the Kigezi Police spokesperson said on Thursday.
During the meeting on Friday, Maate described the issue as an urgent concern and called for immediate intervention from bus station managers.
Efforts to get a comment from Gateway Bus Services Manager were unsuccessful as their known numbers couldn’t be picked.
