Last Updated on: 31st July 2023, 05:21 pm
Kampala | At least 79 people died from 451 road crashes across the country.
While giving a July update on Monday, July 31, SP Kananura Michael, Spokesperson for Traffic & Road Safety, said a total of 451 crashes were registered.
77 were fatal, 219 were serious, and 155 were minor incidents. The crashes resulted in 417 victims, including 79 fatalities and 338 injuries, he added.
“One significant accident (crash) occurred on 28-7-23 at Kitale Mile 6 along the Busega-Entebbe Express Highway, involving a motor vehicle with registration No. UBL 438E T/wish.
“The vehicle lost control, overturned, and claimed the life of a 4-year-old passenger while injuring three others. Victims were rushed to Doctor’s Clinic Kajjansi for medical attention, and the body was taken to Mulago City Mortuary.
“The motor vehicle was taken to Kyengera Police Station pending inspection as investigations commenced,” Kananura said.
Another fatal crash he said was recorded on July 29, 2023, at 01:10 pm at Kazinga Roofing Junction along the Bweyogerere-Kampala Highway.
It involved a collision between motor vehicles with registration No. UAY 634k/UAD 635Q (M/Benz Trailer) and motorcycle registration No. UEX 867F (Bajaj Boxer).
“It is alleged that M/V Reg UAY 634k/UAD 634Q while travelling from Bweyogerere to Seeta tried to overtake another trailer and knocked from behind a motorcycle Reg UEX 867F killing instantly all the three people travelling on the motorcycle
“Both the motorcycle and the motor vehicle involved in the accident were taken to Bweyogerere Police Station pending inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles (IOV) as investigations began. The driver of the trailer is currently on the run.
Like in past road crashes, the major causes of the above incidents were identified by Police as “overspeeding and improper overtaking”.
Data
Records show that Uganda currently loses not less than 12 people per day to road crashes. The 2022 Annual Crime Report by Uganda Police indicates that out of every 100 crashes, 22 people died.
Further, the same Report reveal that 61 per cent of all crashes that year were due to reckless driving.
That same year, Uganda recorded 20,394 crash cases from 17,443 in 2021.
“We call upon the members of the public to support traffic police to fight indiscipline on roads by reporting cases of indiscipline on roads,” SP Kananura appealed.
Meanwhile, Traffic and Road Safety officers embarked on operations targeting vehicles on roads in Dangerous Mechanical Conditions (DMCs).
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According to the Police, a total number of 1,287 motor vehicles have been de-registered across the country and tasked to be repaired.
“Operations among boda-bodas targeting those without permits, those carrying more than one passenger, and those without helmets and reflective jackets are ongoing across the country.”
Uganda has implemented traffic laws as provided in the Traffic and Road Safety Act of 1998 by carrying out road checks, among others.
Global
World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked Uganda among the countries with the highest traffic death rates globally. The East African country tops in the region.
Its (Uganda) figures exceed the 24.1 per 100,000 people for the African region and 18.0 per 100,000 people global average for deaths, respectively.
At least US$245 is spent to treat a single victim of a road crash in the country.