Published on 16/07/2024
Uganda traffic police regularly conduct operations to impound motorcycles that violate traffic regulations as an effort to address the widespread disregard of traffic regulations.
Disregard of traffic regulations accounts for high numbers of fatalities in the boda-boda industry. Last week alone, motorcycles accounted for 59% of road fatalities.
The motorcycles we have in our custody will be released to claimants upon proof of ownership and satisfaction that the motorcycle is not linked to any criminal investigation. We are committed to ensuring that our roads are safe from bad use and accidents.
During the week of 7th – 13th July 2024, 81 people died and 301 sustained injuries.
Among the dead were 35 motorcyclists, 28 pedestrians, 13 passengers on motor cycles, 03 pedal cyclists, 01 Driver & 01 other. Crashes on motor cycles, both riders and passengers accounted for 59% of the total death followed by pedestrians who contributed to 35%.
The major causes of these road crashes were:-
- Crashes due to careless overtaking contributed to 31% of the total crashes.
- Followed by speeding with 19% of the total crashes
The notable ones were:
01 person died and one other injured in a fatal crash that occurred yesterday on 14/07/2024 at Busowobi along Iganga-Bugiri Highway in Iganga District
The crash involved motor vehicles UBG 347D Tata Lorry & NO ZG 2941 (Rear number plate). A fuel tanker, traveling from Iganga to Bugiri, lost control and veered into the oncoming lane, colliding with TATA Lorry carrying cement from Tororo. The impact sparked a fire that engulfed both vehicles, resulting in the death of one person, whose identity has not been confirmed, who was burned beyond recognition. The driver of the TATA Lorry sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Iganga Hospital. Investigations are underway
01 person died in a fatal crash that occurred on 13/07/2024 at katende along Masaka-Kampala Road in Mpigi district at around 4:00pm. The crash involved motor vehicle UAY 400Y Ambulance belonging to Specialist Doctor International, motorcycles UEW 020M Baja boxer & UDZ 939B Bajaj Boxer. The crash occurred when the said ambulance carrying a body from Jinja to Kyotera while at Katende attempted to overtake a queue of vehicles and collided head-on with two motorcycles traveling in the opposite direction towards Kampala. The collision resulted in the instant death of 01 motorcycle riders and injured 02 others a rider and a passenger. The cause of the crash was attributed to the ambulance driver’s careless overtaking maneuver.
Enforcement
The operations conducted last week related to driving licenses; a total number of 331 defaulters were arrested; out these 75 were driving without driving licenses, 107 were driving out of class and 149 were driving with expired licenses.
Operations related to boda-bodas; a total number of 787 riders were got on cases of riding without crash helmets and without reflective jackets. These operations are to continue.
Sensitization
For the period of half year from January –June 2024, the Directorate of traffic and road safety has carried out a number of sensitization activities across the country targeting all road users who include taxi operators, bus drivers, lorry drivers, riders, pedestrians, school children, market vendors, churches and others. This has been done through radio programs, television talk shows and physical engagement aimed at promoting behavioral change. A total number of 1,126 engagements were conducted. Out of these 19 were television talk shows, 326 radio talk shows and 1,081 physical engagements across the country.
Lastly, SP kananura Michael said that ”there are motorcycles parked at various police stations unclaimed for, these motorcycles have no cases under inquires and have spent some time at these police stations. We thus appeal to all riders whose motorcycles are at different police stations to come with relevant documents and take their motorcycles.”
