In a sorrowful development, YY Coaches has been ordered to suspend its operations for a period of 15 days due to two tragic road accidents that have deeply affected the local community. One particularly devastating incident occurred on May 5, when a bus caught fire on the Mukono–Katosi–Jinja highway, resulting in the heartbreaking deaths of three passengers.
In a firm letter to the company’s Managing Director, State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama highlighted key issues such as irresponsible driving and deficiencies in managerial oversight that were crucial in leading to these accidents.
Your drivers’ recklessness and the lack of proper oversight from management are clear contributors to these crashes.
The tragic incident at Najja village in Buikwe District involved a bus with the registration plate UAV 701C, which overturned and caught fire, leading to the immediate loss of three lives. Investigators from the police have attributed reckless driving as a significant factor, and notably, the driver responsible has fled the scene, which raises further concerns regarding accountability.
In an earlier incident, a similar crash happened involving YY Coaches on the Pakwach–Arua highway, where the driver lost control while trying to overtake another vehicle, resulting in yet another serious accident.
To facilitate extensive investigations, the Ministry of Transport has ordered that the entire YY Coaches fleet remain out of service starting at 7 PM on Tuesday, May 13. This operational halt aims to allow thorough checks related to both accidents.
During this time, YY Coaches must present its buses for joint assessments by both the Uganda Police and the Ministry. Additionally, the company is required to provide proof that all its drivers have participated in recent refresher training.
Furthermore, authorities have instructed the company to ensure that the drivers involved in the accidents are made available for interviews. They are also required to issue a public statement outlining what transpired and the measures that will be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This suspension is poised to have a significant impact on long-distance travel in various regions. YY Coaches operates a wide network connecting the eastern, northern, and northwestern parts of Uganda, providing essential services from Kampala to cities such as Arua, Yumbe, Gulu, Kitgum, Lira, Moroto, Kaabong, Mbale, Soroti, Busia, Malaba, and Kotido. The company additionally extends its reach to cross-border routes into Nimule and Juba in South Sudan.
