UPC asks govt to re-visit root causes of accidents

The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has asked the Government to re-visit the root causes of road crashes as one way of saving the lives of all road users in the country.

According to party spokesperson Arach Sharon Oyat, road transport is registering soaring cases where a lot of people have lost their lives and others left in despair with injuries.

She says by helping curb this, road safety measures should be so much emphasized including drivers and vehicles being in good shape and roads in good condition.

"Everything that needs to be done demands goodwill,’’ she added.

While addressing the media at the party’s headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, Oyat stressed that the government should also create more awareness of the highway code, which, according to her, is not focused on nowadays.

"Accordingly, the issue of general knowledge and understanding of the Highway Code by all road users is paramount and should be given utmost attention," she said.

Oyat advised the police traffic officers to consider re-teaching the Highway Code to road users including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and the general public because it concerns everyone.

"Today, traffic lights and zebra crossings are grossly abused and drivers still continue driving recklessly even after seeing pedestrians waiting to cross on a zebra crossing,’’ she added.

Oyat says: "The Highway Codes which were usually printed on exercise books should be re-introduced in the form of special booklets and have them distributed to all levels of schools. This will create awareness and minimise road accidents especially if the code is in everyone’s mind".

Breathalysers and road users

As the traffic officers are carrying out an operation to check the drunk driving, Oyat said a breathalyser can only be a good idea when traffic officers are not corrupt.

"We have seen many drunk drivers let go after bribing officers and thus causing more accidents,’’ she said.

Oyat added that bars should also limit people who go in cars to drink to help solve the entire challenge.

More so, the Government should put an eye on drivers and re-emphasize the permits they have.  

"You find a driver with a permit that authorises him to carry two or three people driving a taxi or a bus which are other loopholes to look at,’’ she said.

The party’s call comes at a time when the country is losing people and others getting serious injuries, especially on road, and water accidents.

Shocking incidents

On August 14, 2023, four people died on the spot on the Kampala-Gulu highway in Nakasongola district after a Toyota Hiace collided with a stationary truck.

On August 8, 2023, 116 pupils of Nagalwa Primary School in Manafwa district were injured when a truck they were in overturned at Kufu bridge.

On July 16, 2023, 15 people were pronounced dead following an ugly crash on the Kagadi-Fortportal road in Kyamutunzi village.