The affected families in the recent Gulu-Kampala highway carnage involving the Opit traveller bus have received financial support from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni amounting to about shs102 million as an emergency response to the tragedy.
Through the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees, Lillian Aber, the support was delivered at Gulu City Council Hall to the directly affected families who lost loved ones and the relatives of those who sustained injuries in the crash.
Each bereaved family received shs5 million, and families of those injured received shs1 million to support burial expenses and treatments.
About 12 out of 15 bereaved families received shs5 million; 3 families were absent, and among injured survivors’ families, 15 of 27 beneficiaries received shs1 million.
Minister Aber applauded Gulu City Council, led by the mayor, security agencies, health workers, and other first responders for the unity and coordination demonstrated in managing the aftermath of the crash and in providing timely rescue and collaborative partnerships.
The minister said the decentralisation bill is in the offing and that once passed into law, the government will be able to provide equipment to all the districts with experts aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness across the country.
She further noted that Gulu City is in a strategic location and has demonstrated capacity as a regional emergency response hub under the proposed framework to help in enhancing emergency response across northern Uganda.
Aber advised family members who lost their loved ones to continue being responsible in taking care of their family and children. “As in Acholi traditional culture, they should not be abandoned after the burial; let them be part of the family. God knows what to do for them; leave it in the hands of God.”
“Our concerns as government are on how some drivers behave on the road, not knowing that over fifty people’s lives who are in the bus are in his hands. This is the big question to all of us. We need to be vigilant and report any reckless driving or any signs of alcoholism in a driver before taking off,” Minister Aber said.
She also condemned “reckless drunkards who misuse the road”, advising them to drink from home or, when you are in the centre, drink a little so that you can still have control over yourself. “The road traffic officer should take charge,” she directed.
Gulu City Council Mayor Julius Acire Labeja welcomed the government’s financial support and thanked the Office of the President and Office of the Prime Minister for standing with the affected families during their time of grief.
“This timely intervention support will help to ease the burden on families as they recover from this tragic incident; however, money cannot bring life to the families,” Labeja said.
He also assured the public that Gulu City Council will continue working closely with the Office of the Prime Minister to ensure that all beneficiaries who were absent during the distribution exercise receive the support intended for them.
Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, Gulu West MP, has made a proposal in Parliament requesting the government to make quick interventions.
“I am happy that steps are being taken to some of our suggestions; one is coming with a very strong regulatory framework that would require transport operators [companies] to be very vigilant in identifying drivers, making sure that drivers are not overworked.”
“We have got information that some of these drivers make return journeys, drive 330 kilometres to Kampala. They keep on hurrying so that they are able to move back, which is what is causing accidents. We need to caution bus owners,” Ojara revealed.
General Felix Busizoori, 4th Division Army commander, urged some bus owners to be responsible people. “…. a driver carries a number of lives, and if he is not careful enough, we lose lives as security. We will be on standby to help to avoid loss of life.”
“I know you cannot compensate for life; at least to give a hand on what they have gone through, this was not a planned event,” he said.
“Families are not prepared to handle the emergency that befell them. Let’s pray for the families. It is not a simple issue; let’s have spirit so that we can save lives.”
Adong Babra Sofie, resident of Pece in Gulu City, and sister to a victim (Charles) who sustained serious injury, was at first admitted at Lacor Hospital and later transferred to Mulago General Hospital, where he is getting treatment.
“This offer from the President will help to cover the medical bills; we did not expect such. It was a surprise to the family. We thank God for this heart-giving when we are in a needy situation.”
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