The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has hailed the Uganda Sports Press Association for coming out to disseminate information to prevent road accidents and crashes that have claimed many lives in the country.

He insisted that discipline and self–responsibility especially among the drivers and riders is the basic core to overcoming the carnage.

The minister was the chief guest to witness the contribution of Kansai Plascon to USPA as they commemorate the 2023 road safety campaign, the functions of which are scheduled for early August.

“I thank the companies like Plascon that have come up to aid USPA in fighting to reduce accidents that have claimed many lives in the country. It’s not about narrow roads but irresponsible and irrespective usage. There is also that vice of vandalising the road signposts and barriers,” noted the minister.

He also emphasized that the works ministry will start enforcing Rule 58 in the Road Act which gives two and six hours to remove any vehicle broken down on the road in the city and rural settings respectively.

“Our breakdown vehicles shall tow them away at the expense of the owner,” he warned.

The spokesperson for the health ministry, Emmanuel Ainebyona, called on law enforcers to take the lead for discipline on the road by making sure the drivers and cyclists comply.

“Enforce that bit of the law. I was in Ghana but nobody drives on the pavement or abuses the traffic lights. Helmets are a mandate for both the rider and passenger, otherwise, as the ministry, we are trying by having toll-free calls and rapid evacuation response at our health facilities,” he noted.

The regional traffic officer for Kampala Metropolitan and Eastern, SP Gamal Abdul Kadri, added to the call for discipline on the road.

“Know the rules of overtaking, don’t drink and drive, avoid using phones while driving, have a driving permit and pedestrians should avoid zigzagging in the road. Even the government officials are not exclusive of the law,” he warned.

The brand manager for Kansai Plascon, Daniel Kayongo, promised that the company is committing sh30m to the campaign this year which will go to schools and communities on the Jinja Highway and also paint several zebra crossings in specific areas.

The events roll off on August 2 with a requiem mass, a thanksgiving for victim’s families in Lugazi on August 3 and then a series of road safety campaigns that will climax with the painting of a zebra crossing in Lugazi town as well as a sports activity.

This is the first post–Covid-19 USPA Road Safety Campaign being held. The campaign is held in memory of four sports journalists Leo Kabunga, Kenneth Matovu, Simon Peter Ekarot and Francis Batte who died in a crash at Lugazi in 2001.