Kenya protests halt Kampala-Nairobi bus services

Travelers planning journeys between Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and Nairobi, Kenya, faced significant disruptions on Tuesday. The Namayiba Bus Terminal reported a sharp decrease in bus arrivals from Kenya, with services brought to a standstill due to ongoing protests in Kenya.

Bus operators confirmed that escalating fuel costs in Kenya, linked to global supply pressures, have led to widespread unrest, affecting transportation operations. “From yesterday, movement has not been good. As you can see now, the number of buses has reduced,” stated Mr. Nelson Ssekandi, manager of Namayiba Bus Terminal. He noted that normally, buses from Nairobi would arrive between 10 am and 1 pm, but none had reached Kampala by Tuesday afternoon.

The situation also impacted departures from Kampala, as many buses were held up on the Kenyan side. Passengers who had already purchased tickets were advised to postpone their travel as companies assessed the security situation. “Most of the bus companies are communicating to passengers about the situation and postponing some journeys,” Mr. Ssekandi added.

Mr. Kwizera Biran, Vice Chairman of the Uganda United Bus Owners Association, corroborated the reports, confirming a temporary suspension of operations on the Kenya route. “They told us the buses from Kenya have not come, and even buses from this side had not gone because of the riots in Kenya,” he explained.

In related news, Kenyan authorities at the Busia border have intensified Ebola screening for travelers entering the country due to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The exercise aims to prevent the spread of the virus into Kenya, given the high volume of travelers from affected regions.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kenya-protests-disrupt-kampala-nairobi-bus-travel-5465930