BY OUR REPORTER

TESO—Political activist George William Ecungu has harshly criticized bus companies for their failure to maintain acceptable hygiene standards, highlighting a recent disturbing experience with bed bugs.

Speaking to the press on Monday, September 16, 2024, Ecungu emphasized the urgent need for improvements in passenger health and safety within the transport sector.

Ecungu shared his troubling experience from Friday, September 13, 2024, when he traveled from Kampala to Kamutur Subcounty using public transportation. The journey, intended to attend a traditional marriage ceremony organized by the Ikaruwok Ingeseba clan, was marred by excessive speeding by drivers and the poor condition of the vehicles.

"The excessive speeding by drivers, despite the poor state of the roads and their vehicles, is alarming. This reckless behavior puts passengers' lives at serious risk," Ecungu remarked. He also praised traffic officers for their efforts but stressed that more needs to be done to address these safety concerns.

In addition to the issues of speeding and vehicle condition, Ecungu expressed frustration with conductors who overload buses, forcing some passengers to stand while the vehicle is in motion. He urged passengers to be vigilant and avoid boarding overloaded buses to protect their safety.

A significant part of Ecungu's critique focused on the unhygienic conditions within buses and taxis. He recounted a disturbing incident on Sunday morning when he traveled from Bukedea to Soroti and encountered a bed bug infestation that affected all passengers on board.

"Aside from the dangers of speeding and overloading, we also face severe hygiene problems. On my recent trip, I was shocked to encounter bed bugs," Ecungu said. He called for bus companies to conduct regular inspections and maintenance to ensure a clean and safe travel environment.

Ecungu acknowledged the efforts of drivers who adhere to traffic rules and drive sober but reiterated the need for better regulation and oversight to ensure passenger welfare. Health experts warn that bed bugs can lead to anemia, a serious condition resulting from a deficiency of blood, underscoring the importance of addressing such hygiene issues promptly.