Parliament urges action on Kampala–Gulu highway black spot

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Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has urged the works ministry to urgently address a black spot stretch linked to multiple car crashes and fatalities on the Kampala–Gulu Highway in Kiryandongo district.

Lawmakers urged the Government to review and strengthen road safety policies to curb the rising number of fatal road accidents across the country, many of which they say are preventable.

The call follows a tragic crash on October 22, 2025, along the Kampala–Gulu highway, which claimed 46 lives. MPs described the accident as a wake-up call to address long-standing gaps in the enforcement and regulation of road use.

Drivers' impunity

During a parliamentary sitting on October 28, 2025, Tayebwa criticised drivers of heavy vehicles for operating with impunity. 

“I was nearly crushed by a Sino truck driver, he came for me, hit the car behind me, then parked and ran away. We talked to the owners, but they were arrogant. They think people should get off the road for them. These trucks carrying sand and cows will finish people,” Tayebwa said.

Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju County), decried the destruction of rural roads and bridges caused by overloaded trucks, urging the ministry to empower local governments to regulate their operations. 

“These heavy trucks have destroyed almost all bridges in our villages. In my constituency alone, they have so far spoilt five bridges. The ministry should find a way of getting districts to come up with bylaws on how to regulate the trucks,” he said.

Wakiso District Woman MP Ethel Naluyima highlighted the lack of proper road signage at known black spots as a major contributor to accidents. She called on the works ministry to identify and mark all accident-prone areas.

Legislators proposed strict penalties for careless drivers and suggested a system to track driving permits for those with repeated traffic offenses, enabling authorities to suspend or revoke permits before accidents occur.

Joy Waako, MP for Elderly Persons, appealed to the Government to enforce the requirement for long-distance buses to have two drivers per route, particularly as the festive season approaches.

“People drive at terrific speeds because the more journeys drivers make, the more money they earn. For long journeys, we must enforce the policy that each bus carrying passengers should deploy two drivers,” Waako said.

According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report (2024), the country recorded 25,107 road traffic accidents, representing a 6.4% increase from 2023.