Arrest politicians who flout traffic rules â€" Police chief

Nov 11, 2008

THE Police commissioner for traffic and road safety, Dr. Steven Kasiima, has instructed district Police commanders to arrest civil servants and political leaders who drive without permits.

By Chris Ocowun

THE Police commissioner for traffic and road safety, Dr. Steven Kasiima, has instructed district Police commanders to arrest civil servants and political leaders who drive without permits.

He was speaking at a workshop on road safety organised by the Ministry of Works and the National Road Safety Council at Bomah Hotel in Gulu on Friday.

“The Police should impound all government vehicles which are driven on weekends and after 5:00pm at ceremonies like marriage introductions,” Kasiima said.

“We are arresting Police officers who take bribes but how many civil servants take bribes? They take millions of shillings in bribes as compared to sh1,000 most Police officers take,” he lamented.
Kasiima accused some politicians of awarding tenders to themselves or their relatives.

He also directed the Police to auction impounded motorcycles which did not have number plates if they were not claimed within six months.

“There is no law that stops you from arresting a traffic offender,” he said.

Kasiima instructed traffic officers to ensure that tickets for express penalties to offenders are issued and paid for immediately, especially by drivers from other countries or regions.

He said several tickets were issued in the north and West Nile regions but less than 10 were paid for last year.

Christopher Acire, the Gulu mayor, appealed to the Government to increase salaries for Police officers so as to avoid tempting them from taking bribes.

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