Kampala-Uganda The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has called for decisive action against errant drivers. This follows a tragic incident in Kagadi district where a 25-year-old Magezi Tuhaise lost his life after being knocked down by a government vehicle.
The incident occurred during a peaceful demonstration by residents protesting the poor state of roads on Tuesday, 27 February 2024.
While chairing the plenary sitting, Speaker Among expressed her deep concern over the incident, condemning the driver’s lack of respect for the demonstrators.
She emphasised the need to address such impunity and called on law enforcement bodies to bring the errant drivers to justice. Among’s stern message conveyed the urgency of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
Kagadi District Representative
Hon. Janepher Mbabazi, representing Kagadi District, informed the Parliament that the driver of the government vehicle involved in the tragic incident had been arrested, and the police were conducting investigations.
Mbabazi also urged the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to expedite the necessary road works that had prompted the demonstration, stating the long-standing neglect of the 42km road in Kagadi.
State Minister for Works and Transport, Hon. Musa Ecweru, acknowledged the pressing issue of road maintenance and pledged to present a comprehensive statement on the state of roads in the country.
He highlighted the challenges in resource allocation and stressed the need for a harmonisation meeting with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance to address funding gaps.
Concerns Over Illegal Sirens and Impunity:
The tragic incident prompted legislators to address broader issues concerning road safety. Dan Atwijukire shared a personal experience of reckless driving and called for action against vehicles with illegal sirens.
Asuman Basalirwa, the Bugiri Municipality MP, stressed the need to tackle impunity in the country, particularly in enforcing guidelines related to road safety.
Traffic Fines Enforcement
Legislator Fredrick Angura advocated for strict enforcement of traffic fines on errant road users as a means of improving non-tax revenue for the country.
The call for accountability and strict adherence to traffic regulations underscores the Parliament’s commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens on the roads.
In response to the concerns raised, Minister Ecweru committed to providing a report on the categories of persons entitled to the right of way in the country.
This commitment signals a step towards addressing the broader issues of road safety and ensuring responsible use of public roads.
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