FEASSA Games: Uganda Teams Stranded as Buses Fail Ministry of Transport Requirements
Uganda’s journey to the 23rd Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, has been disrupted after several school teams were stopped over failure to meet mandatory transport requirements.
Team Uganda, comprising more than 2,000 athletes and officials, was officially flagged off on Saturday at Lugogo Indoor Arena by State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, with the contingent expected to travel to Morogoro for the regional championship.
However, the journey for some teams was interrupted after school buses were stopped by authorities over non-compliance with transport requirements issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Some of the affected buses were reportedly held at Mabira Police Station during the night before being stopped again at the Nile Bridge in Jinja the following morning.
The teams remained at the Nile Bridge until evening, when they were directed to return to their respective schools and have their travel documentation properly arranged before proceeding to Tanzania.
According to Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) President Justus Mugisha, a number of buses were turned back after failing to meet the required Standard Operating Procedures.
The major concerns were that some drivers did not possess valid driver badges, while some buses lacked current inspection certificates from the Ministry of Works.
“We have requested for testing of drivers and inspection of buses, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities to fast-track both processes,” Mugisha said in a communication to the teams.
To resolve the situation, arrangements were made for the affected buses and drivers to undergo inspection and badge testing on Monday.
Three buses — Sseku Secondary School, carrying boys, Happy Nation, carrying girls, and Wampewo Ntake Secondary School Mpererwe, carrying the athletics team — were scheduled for inspection at Namanve at 8:00am.
Meanwhile, drivers from Gombe Secondary School, Nabisunsa Girls, St. Cyprian Kyabakade, Seroma Christian High School, Katikamu SDA, Light College Katikamu, Jinja Secondary School and Wampewo Ntake Secondary School Mpererwe were scheduled to undergo badge testing at the Ministry of Works at 8:30am.
Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA), one of the affected institutions, had already secured a driver with the required badge and departed for Morogoro.
USSSA said the testing and inspection were being fast-tracked to enable compliant teams to resume their journey as soon as possible.
Alternatively, affected schools were advised to secure buses with valid inspection certificates and drivers holding valid badges to allow their teams to travel without further delay.
The association thanked officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force for their cooperation in resolving the situation.
USSSA President Mugisha also apologized for the inconvenience caused to the affected schools and, particularly, the student-athletes.
The association said the measures were intended to ensure that all teams travelling to Morogoro complied with the required safety standards.
While some teams experienced delays, USSSA reported that other members of the Ugandan contingent had successfully crossed the Uganda-Kenya border and were continuing with their journey to Tanzania.
The 23rd FEASSA Games are expected to bring together secondary school athletes from across East Africa for competition in various sporting disciplines in Morogoro.