An elderly Rwandan woman died aboard a Friends Bus Company bus travelling from Kampala to Kisoro on Tuesday.
The deceased, whose identity had not been established by press time, was travelling with her son aboard bus registration number UBL 996N. She reportedly boarded the bus in Masaka while already unwell.
According to fellow passengers, the bus was travelling slowly after leaving Mbarara City. The woman’s death was discovered when the bus stopped at the Kanaba checkpoint in Kisoro District for a routine inspection and passengers disembarked.
The bus was subsequently escorted to Kisoro Central Police Station, where the woman’s body was removed and taken to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for a postmortem to establish the cause of death.
Preliminary information indicates that the woman’s son did not notify the bus crew about her deteriorating condition or her death during the journey. He reportedly remained silent until the bus reached Kanaba.
The incident disrupted the journey for the other passengers, who remained at Kisoro Central Police Station as arrangements were made for the postmortem.
The bus was later released by police and is currently parked at its stage along the Kisoro-Bunagana Road.
Sebizuru Emmanuel, Chairperson of Kisoro Bus Operators, confirmed the incident and cautioned members of the public against transporting critically ill patients on public buses when medical transport is required.
“Families should use proper medical transport for seriously ill patients to save lives and avoid causing distress to other passengers,” Sebizuru said.
By press time, police had not issued an official statement on the incident. The circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remain subject to the findings of the postmortem and any subsequent police investigations.
RWANDAN WOMAN DIES ABOARD BUS TRAVELLING FROM KAMPALA TO KISORO
