Operation Kawunyemu to continue as over 120 motorists arrested in Kampala
The crackdown comes amid a high road traffic death toll in Uganda. According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime and Traffic Report, 5,383 people were killed in road crashes during the reporting period, translating into an average of about 15 deaths a day.
The operation, dubbed Kawunyemu, was conducted by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety in partnership with Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP), according to Traffic police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura. (Courtesy Photo)
KAMPALA - Police have arrested 124 motorists in a crackdown on drink-driving across nine police divisions in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The operation, dubbed Kawunyemu, was conducted by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety in partnership with Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP), according to Traffic police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura.
Katwe Police Division recorded the highest number of arrests at 24, followed by Kawempe with 18 and Nansana with 16
Kabalagala and Old Kampala each recorded 14 arrests, while Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala registered 13. Jinja Road recorded 12 arrests, Kiira Road seven and Nsangi six.
The crackdown comes amid a high road traffic death toll in Uganda. According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime and Traffic Report, 5,383 people were killed in road crashes during the reporting period, translating into an average of about 15 deaths a day.
Michael Kananura
Drink-driving is a particular concern during evening and night hours, when many people engage in social activities, as well as over weekends when nightlife activity increases.
Police traffic crash trends consistently show that fatal collisions spike during evening and night hours (particularly between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM) and peak over weekends—coinciding directly with nightlife activity and recreational alcohol consumption
Under Uganda’s Traffic and Road Safety (Prohibited Drugs and Alcohol Limit) Regulations, 2023, the prescribed blood alcohol limit for ordinary motorists is 50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
A lower limit of 20 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood applies to drivers of public service vehicles, ambulances and goods vehicles.
The regulations also prescribe breath alcohol limits of 25 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of breath for ordinary motorists and 10 milligrammes for drivers of public service vehicles, ambulances and goods vehicles
Kananura warned motorists against driving after consuming alcohol, saying enforcement operations would continue across the metropolitan area
“Our message is clear: If you drink, do not drive. Arrange for a sober driver or use a special-hire vehicle to get home safely.
He added that police would not allow motorists to endanger other road users by driving under the influence of alcohol
Police also warned that future operations could involve publicly identifying motorists caught drink-driving as a deterrent
The World Health Organisation estimates that road traffic crashes cost Uganda between 3% and 5% of its gross domestic product annually through lost productivity, emergency medical care and vehicle damage. The toll, therefore, extends beyond the loss of lives to the wider economy.
Authorities said Operation Kawunyemu would continue as part of broader efforts to reduce road crashes and improve safety for all road users.