Representing the Uganda Police, Public Relations Officer for greater Masaka SP Kasirye Twaha has warned Ugandan drivers to avoid reckless driving especially this rainy season so as to overcome its related effects and save lives.
This follows Monday morning terrible accident that occurred at Kyekurura, shortly after Kinoni Center in lwengo district, part of Greater Masaka along Kampala –Mbarara High way. The accident involved the global bus with registration number UBB 985M which left one person sustained with serious injuries and the rest of the injured individuals rushed to nearby health centers.
This incident is said to have been caused by slippery road after raining cats and dogs.” We caution all drivers particularly on slippery roads during this rainy season to avoid over speeding.” Twaha said
Accidents in Uganda is at the highest peak. According to the 2022 Uganda Police Force annual report, 20394 cases of road accidents were registered compared to 17443 in 2021. The report indicates that of every 100crashes, 22 people died while 61 percent of all the accidents was due to reckless driving.
While addressing the media in July at Uganda Media Centre, the minister for ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi noted that the cabinet had observed that road accidents are being caused by human factors inclusive of over speeding, destructions while driving, fatigue, abandoned vehicles on high ways and indispline of boda boda riders among others.
He revealed governments efforts to curb the accidents through enforcing the stringent laws like the traffic and Road Safety Amendment bill 2023 increment from 200,000 UGX to 2 M shillings for motorists driving beyond transcribed speed.
During the same event, he disclosed cabinet proposal for every vehicle a must to have reflector both behind and in front as well as placing triangular reflectors two metres behind or in front of the vehicle in in case of a mechanical breakdown on the road, so as to notify other road users.” If your vehicle doesn’t have a reflector and a driver rams into it and there is death, then the driver of the stationed vehicle will be charged for murder.” Chris added.
Meanwhile, current report shows that accidents on Uganda roads claim an average of 12 people daily. In efforts to curb down this threat, Uganda Police in partnership with the Ministry of works and Transport ministry of Health Uganda National Roads Authority relaunched operation Fika Salaama Extra.
The public relations officer Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety SP Kananura Michael said that its major focus is to emphasise and put more effort on what has been ongoing inclusive of enforcement, road safety education and engagement with other stake holders.
Kananura noted that the operations included the use of biometrics (finger prints) which will profile drivers found to be driving motor vehicles while drunk.
He appealed to all road users to observe the set laws and regulations.” I appeal to all road users to abide by the traffic laws and regulations to ensure safety on our roads.” Kananura said.
The operation re-activated on all check points along Uganda major high ways from August 2023 and is projected to run upto January 2024.
Other fatal accidents that left families weeping include the July 16th road crash involving taxi and fuso truck in Kagadi district along Kagadi- Kyenjojo-Fortportal highway that claimed 17 lives and the accident along Kabale –Mbarara road where a Ugandan tycoon Aponye Nyegamahe – aka Aponye perished after his vehicle ramming into a stationed lorry
