Mega Fm, Uptown Liquor store, Gulu University, Ker Kwaro Acholi, and Guruguru Fraternity, a loose coalition of friends and business associates have evacuated students trapped in Kampala following a spike in public transport fares.
At least 260 students were last night successfully brought back home. More students were on their way home on police and parliamentary buses.
Hundreds of students are struggling to travel back home following the closure of schools for 42 days as part of the measures to contain the spread of the second wave of the global Coronavirus Disease – COVID-19.
Cumulatively, the virus has infected up to 53,961 people and killed 383 others.
Transport fares skyrocketed on Monday a few hours after the president, Yoweri Museveni announced new COVID-19 measures to contain the surge of infections.
For example, transport fares to the northern Uganda route specifically to Gulu have increased to between Shillings 100,000 and 130,000 from Shillings 40,000 shilling previously.
Travellers to Elegu border post are paying Shillings 150,000. Travellers to places such as Ntungamo and Ibanda district are paying Shillings150, 000.
Stephen Odong Latek, the Gulu Resident District Commissioner says that the students were informed and assembled at the bus park from where they left for Gulu City on Tuesday night. The students arrived in Gulu at the wee hours on Wednesday morning and again assembled at the Gulu district council hall.
Latek disclosed that the students who come from East Acholi districts later proceeded to their respective districts in the same buses while those from within East Acholi will then find their ways home.
