The Parliamentary representative for Lower Madi County in Madi-Okollo District, Hon. Ronald Afidra, has called for a review of Uganda’s traffic laws following the several road accidents registered over the Easter period.
The accidents have caused injuries and loss of lives.
“You are aware that the Police recently said that during Easter alone, Ugandans who lost their lives through accidents were more than 80 and there were more than 200 accidents. We need to do something about this,” Afidra said during the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, on Thursday, 04 April 2024.
He alluded to Rwanda’s revision of speed limits within the city down to 60kph from 120kph, which he said has reduced the country’s accident rates.
“My appeal to you Mr Speaker is that this Parliament considers reviewing the speed limit for different vehicles and motorbikes in Kampala, so that we see how it can impact on accidents overtime,” Afidra added.
He also attributed road carnage in rural areas to poor road infrastructure and urged the finance ministry to avail the funds provided for under the Road Rehabilitation Development Grant.
Under the grant, government allocated Shs1 billion to each district, 10 cities and 31 municipalities in a bid to improve the condition of roads there and to enhance rural accessibility and working environments in urban areas.
The Uganda Road Fund is managing the grant under the auspices of district roads committees.
Afridra noted that his constituency has so far received only Shs500 million for road maintenance.
The State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, said the funds provided for in the Financial Year 2023/2024, were to be released quarterly.
“There was a commitment to release Shs250 million per quarter which we did for the first two quarters. We had cash flow challenges in the third quarter but we are looking forward to releasing the balance of Shs500 million in this fourth quarter,” Musasizi confirmed.
The Deputy Speaker commended Hon. Alex Ruhunda, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety for the proposals aimed at curbing road carnage and urged legislators to support the forum’s efforts.
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