“Police Can’t Escort Every Passenger Bus” – Emilian Kayima

Police Spokesperson, SSP Emilian Kayima has downplayed the concerns among members of the public pushing for Police officers to escort public transport buses which he said is neither tenable nor sustainable.

He was responding to public reaction in the wake of a tragic motor accident involving a Gaaga bus in which 22 people were killed in Kiryandongo district on Friday.

The Gaaga bus was trying to overtake a tractor but lost control and knocked head on with a trailer which was carrying crates of beer. Police say they will establish what caused the accident once investigations have been concluded.

Some people have since questioned the Police operations aimed at curbing road accidents, including the temporary measure previously adopted by Police in which its officers traveled on buses to keep the drivers in check.

Others accused Police of laxity in its ‘Fika Salama’ campaign which has given a window for vehicles that are not roadworthy to roam the roads freely.

But Kayima said that it isn’t possible for Police to assign a police officer to each and every bus.

“A police officer for every bus, I think that worked for a short time but it is not even the policy of Police. I don’t even think it is the way to go. It isn’t good,” Kayima said.

He was addressing the media at Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala on Monday alongside the Kampala Metropolitan Police commander, CP Moses Kafeero.

“For every policeman to be assigned to buses, taxis and trucks, No! The drivers should take responsibility. If they don’t we shall prosecute them. If they fail, we shall cancel their licenses or ground them like we have been doing,” the Police spokesperson further stated.

Kayima appealed to the passengers to always take the responsibility of calling out drivers whenever they drive recklessly.

He said that the bus driver, who happens to be the only driver who survived among the three is hospitalized but will be probed and prosecuted accordingly once he recovers.

Regarding the charges the driver is likely to face, Kayima told journalists: “The likely charges come from offences committed. We want to know – was it recklessness on his side, was it bad driving or over speeding. That’s why investigation is made”.

He however blamed the Gaaga bus driver for negligence in overtaking the tractor. Kayima downplayed the excuse that the rear of the tractor had no reflectors.