The Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has instructed long route bus drivers to avoid over speeding with a view to make more than one route during Christmas festivities, and overcharging passengers taking advantage of the big number of travellers to and from upcountry areas.
Gen. Katumba was addressing the media on directives to govern drivers during Christmas festivities, during a meeting held at the Uganda Media Centre, to outline measures for averting the traffic accidents that usually characterize the period.
He re-emphasized the need for bus drivers to mandatorily wear special badges and hold licenses allowing them to operate on the specific roads where they operate. Drivers of all categories were advised to ensure their vehicles are in sound mechanical conditions before hitting the road, and passengers asked not to stay mute as drivers over speed or drive recklessly.
Drivers of school buses were directed not to carry passengers in a bid to be able to tap from the heavy passenger loads on the roads.
In a similar manner, the Director for Transport in the Police Force, Lawrence Nuwabiine gave express directives to traffic police to arrest and wayward drivers and subsequently arraign them in court. Nuwabiine also cautioned drivers who start with drinking, warning that this is the cause of many accidents.
And the Commissioner in the Ministry of Transport Winston Katushabe expressed dismay at the increase in fatal road accidents especially on bodabodas which he said constitute 64 per cent of the accidents in the country.
A police report indicates that in 2023, 60 people died in accidents between December 23rd and January 1st2024, while 3,790 people died between January 2024 and September 2024. 12,340 sustained grave injuries with some still hospitalized to date.