Africa-Press – Uganda. Bus owners under their umbrella United Bus Owners Association (UBOA) have raised alarm over the growing menace of individuals known as “blockers” who have infiltrated bus parks across the country, disrupting operations and tarnishing the image of the transport sector.
In a strongly worded statement, UBOA Chairperson Solomon Nsimire revealed that these individuals have been extorting passengers, inflating fares, and misleading travelers by posing as legitimate staff of various bus companies.
The association expressed concern that these activities have led to numerous cases of passengers being robbed or coerced onto buses they never intended to board.
“Blockers have broken several regulations set by the Ministry of Transport. They have refused to organize themselves, and as such, they must vacate the parks immediately. If they do not, authorities must intervene,” Nsimire declared.
The concerns came to a head during a heated meeting held between bus owners, managers, and representatives of the blockers. Passengers have increasingly voiced frustration over inconsistent and inflated transport fares, often blaming the confusion on these middlemen who aggressively solicit commuters within the chaotic bus parks.
During the meeting, bus owners extended an olive branch, proposing that blockers could form a formal association and register to operate legally.
However, this offer was accompanied by a stern warning against any form of extortion, impersonation, or unlawful practice.
“If these individuals wish to work, they must be officially employed by the companies. Otherwise, they should return to their own hustles elsewhere,” one bus owner remarked.
Despite the proposal, the blockers denied the allegations in subsequent interviews, claiming they too have a right to work within the parks and vowing not to leave.
The bus owners have since ordered that any offices, desks, or operational points belonging to blockers be closed with immediate effect. They further advised passengers to avoid making payments to unauthorised individuals within the bus parks to protect themselves from fraud.
Nsimire disclosed that UBOA had previously given the blockers ample time to reform and organize themselves, but their continued defiance left the association with no choice but to act.
The association is now calling upon the Ministry of Transport and law enforcement agencies to enforce the new directive to restore order and passenger safety within the bus parks.
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