Bus drivers' protest disrupts crossing on Uganda-S.Sudan border

Passenger buses at the Nimule-Elegu crossing point on the Uganda-South Sudan border. Bus operators on March 6, 2020 staged protests at the border after a driver was beaten up and injured by money changers. PHOTO | GARANG A. MALAK | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Bus operators said money changers at the border beat up and injured a Trinity Bus Service driver on Friday morning.
• The operators staged protests and demanded that the injured driver receive medical attention.

By GARANG A. MALAK
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A protest by bus operators on the Uganda-South Sudan border on Friday disrupted activities and caused a huge snarl-up at the Nimule-Elegu crossing point.

The bus operators, most of who operate transboundary passenger services, said money changers on Friday morning beat up and injured Trinity Bus Service driver Gabulyeri Ngabirano. Injured Trinity Bus Service driver Gabulyeri Ngabirano (second left) at the Nimule-Elegu crossing point on the Uganda-South Sudan border. Bus operators on March 6, 2020 staged protests at the border after a driver was beaten up and injured by money changers. PHOTO | GARANG A. MALAK | NATION MEDIA GROUP

“This incident happened this morning when all buses where cleared by the two borders at 8.30am before setting off for Juba,” Mr Odocke Richard, the conductor of the Trinity Bus, said.

“One of our Trinity passengers had a quarrel with a money changer inside the bus. When the driver intervened and stopped them from fighting, the two money changers [who were in the bus] turned to the driver and beat him up.” Travellers and traders at the Nimule-Elegu crossing point on the Uganda-South Sudan border. Bus operators on March 6, 2020 staged protests at the border after a driver was beaten up and injured by money changers. PHOTO | GARANG A. MALAK | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The operators staged protests and demanded that the injured driver receive medical attention.

They also urged authorities to ensure their safety at the border.

Mr Richard Balenzi, the Uganda Police Officer In-Charge at Elegu Field Office, said officials from both sides of the border had a meeting with bus drivers to quell the protest and give way to uninterrupted border crossing.

“If this crossing remains closed for long, it will cause an economic crisis because it’s not just buses that use it. There are many other people doing business here,” he said. Travellers at the Nimule-Elegu crossing point on the Uganda-South Sudan border. Bus operators on March 6, 2020 staged protests at the border after a driver was beaten up and injured by money changers. PHOTO | GARANG A. MALAK | NATION MEDIA GROUP

South Sudan gets a lot of its food supplies from Uganda and a prolonged disruption at the border would affect supply in Juba.

“What we are saying is that we handle the issue amicably and open the borders. This incident will be handled by authorities as we continue to meet,” Mr Balenzi said.

Mr Yor Mawien, the South Sudan Immigration Officer at Nimule border, said the two South Sudanese suspects had been arrested. They will be prosecuted if investigations find them culpable, he added.