Alcoholism making Kabale roads unsafe - Police

The director of traffic, Dr Stephen Kasiima, has attributed the increasing road accidents in Kabale district to reckless driving, overloading and alcoholism.

Kasiima said over 50 people die every year in Kabale as a result of accidents. He called for concerted efforts to beat the problem.

He was speaking during the launch of operation Fika salama in Kabale district yesterday. Operation fika salama was launched nationally in August, 2016 following a series of accidents on the Kampala-Masaka highway. It has since then been rolled out to various highways in the country.

According to Kasiima, most drivers in Kabale are fond of overloading small cars and over speeding, while some drive while drunk.

"There is an increasing tendency by some drivers to excessively load passengers. How do you pack a four seater taxi with eight passengers and expect safe travel," an irritated Kasiima asked.

He said traffic police will effectively next year start penalising owners and drivers of vehicles that collapse in the middle roads.

"Some vehicles, especially heavy ones, experience mechanical challenges and spend days parked in road reserves. This will not be tolerated any longer," Kasiima said.

Speaking at the same function, the Kabale Resident district commissioner Darious Nandinda condemned cases of selective application of traffic laws on Ugandan roads. He also advocated for increased sensitisation about road safety.

"Our people are not that bad. They only act out of ignorance. I would like the relevant authorities to boost sensitisation," said Nandinda.