Kampala-Gulu Tragedy rekindles Parliamentary Outcry on Road Safety

Members of Parliament have raised alarm over the escalating number of fatal road accidents in the country, following last week's horrific Crash on the Kampala highway that left 46 lives dead.

During Plenary this week, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa tasked the Ministry of works and Transport and Uganda Police Traffic Department to urgently step up enforcement  of road safety measures, saying government cannot afford to remain complacent as lives continue to be lost on the highways.

"we have talked about this issue of road safety for a very longtime" Tayebwa Said. "it's an issue we must refocus on, especially urging the  ministry of works  and Police traffic Department  to ensure there is safety on the roads. Otherwise, We cannot continue losing lives the way its".

Tayebwa condemned the reckless conduct of drivers, particularly those operating Sino Trucks, whim he accused of endangering other road users with impunity.

"Just last week, i was nearly crushed by a Sino-Truck driver. Despite my convoy and the of way, he came straight for me and hit the car behind mine. when we confronted him, he ran way. These drivers are arrogant: they behave as though everyone else must get off the road for them," he recounted.

Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye echoed the deputy speaker's concern, accusing Sino-Trucks drovers of destroying rural infrastructure and behaving with indifference to public safety.

"In Our Constituencies, these trucks have destroyed almost all the small bridges. They are too heavy, the bridges are weak, and the arrogance of their drivers is unbearable" Mwijukye said, urging  the government to introduce strict bylaws to regulate their operations.

John Faith Magola, MP for Bungokho North, blame the increasing number of crashes on the deplorable state of the country's highways.

"The Potholes between Mukono and Jinja have grown from potholes to drum holes, and now they are ponds", Magola Said "The Situation is a mess, and I Pray the ministry of works acts immediately."

Meanwhile, joy Peggy Waako, the female representative for older persons, linked many fatal accidents to driver fatigue among long-distance bus operators who without rest in pursuits of extra allowances.

"Most of these drivers operate at terrific speeds because the more routes they make, the more money they earn, some drive from Kampala to Kanungu and back without sleeping at all" Waako said. "Government should make it policy that buses on long routes have at least two drivers or mandatory rest periods".

Kimaanya-kabonera MP. Abed Bwanika called  for the introduction of a penalty-point system linking traffic  offenses to their driving permits" Bwanika Said.

" we have drive terrible records but police cannot come out to track because there's no system  linking traffic offenses to their driving permits." Bwanika Said.

Rwankwene Bataringya [Kashari North] urged the ministry of transport to widen roads and repaint  faded markings, saying most highways are too narrow and poorly demarcated.

MPs also expressed concern over the inadequate medical response for accident victims. Kibanda North MP Linus Ngompek said Kiryandongo General hospital, which serves accident victims along the Kampala-Gulu Highway, is Overstretched.

"We need the ministry to upgrade Kiryandongo hospital into a Highway referral hospital ." he Said "it receives more accident victims and refugees than any other facility yet the Budget is too small".

Similarly Busiki County MP Mr. Paul Akamba  decried the absence of a major hospital between Mbale and Iganga, despite frequent accidents along that stretch.

" Namutumba Town Council Health Centre III should be upgraded to a Health IV, given it location on a busy highway," Akamba Said.

The renewed Debate on the Road safety on road follows a multi-Vehicle Collision on October 21 along the Kampala-Gulu Highway near Kiryandongo , which killed 46 People.

Police said the crash occurred after two buses travelling in opposite directions attempted to overtake simultaneously, resulting in a head on collision.

"we strongly urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially  avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking" The Uganda Police Said in a statement.

Meanwhile Uganda Red Cross described the accident as one of the deadliest in recent years, with the  Spokesperson Irene Saying Rescue workers found Victims "bleeding with broken limbs" and Scenes "too gruesome to share."

According to Police Data, 5,144 people died  in road crashes in 2024, up from 4,806 in 2023 and 4,534 in 2022 reflecting rise Uganda's road carnage.

Source: Parliamentary Watch