We must all condemn theft of road signposts

By John Vianney Ahumuza

trueThe pattern of theft of road construction equipment and sign posts in some parts of the country is worrying. Some sections of the media have observed theft of sign posts on Matuga road.

This revelation has left me wondering where patriotic Ugandans have gone. It appears to me as if the concept of common good is slowly vanishing from our society.
 

Road signs help road users to regulate their speed and avoid accidents. All of us are prone to accidents whether drivers, passengers or pedestrians.

Every loss of any life is a big loss to humanity. Then why must a God fearing Ugandan take time to steal a sign post on the road for heaven’s sake?
 

It is also true that these metals are openly sold to scrap buyers. Why must any citizen conceal information concerning the sale of these items? I believe that security can never be everywhere but in creating a civil society individuals actions are critical.
 

The above article further comes out at a time when the President, while addressing the nation on Labor Day in Ntungamo district on May 1, wondered the rate at which fuel for constructing the Ntungamo-Katuna has been stolen.

I even became surprised to note from the DPC Ntungamo's response when tasked by the president that people come from areas as far as Kampala to steal fuel from Ntungamo! But when the President asked any of the locals to raise up their hands and put out names of culprits, a dense silence descended on the crowd.

As if the President interpreted the silence quickly only to crack a joke in Runyankole that may be some fear for their necks to be twisted by the criminals.
 

But this is a reflection of inability by our society to stump out crime. We must support the Police in ensuring that properties of the state are secure.

Road accident report indicates an increase in accidents, a factor that may be attributed to, among other reasons, lack of available road signs.

Fellow countrymen, lets us unite for a better Uganda by condemning all acts that seem to cause stalemate on road transport. This is what civilization is all about.
 

The writer is a lecturer at Uganda Christian University, Mukono