Bus operators summoned over accidents
Jan 28, 2010
BUS operators countrywide have been summoned to Kampala for a meeting following a spate of accidents in which over 23 people lost their lives in four days.
By Samuel Balagadde
and Herbert Ssempogo
BUS operators countrywide have been summoned to Kampala for a meeting following a spate of accidents in which over 23 people lost their lives in four days.
The meeting, ordered by the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, is scheduled for today at the Police headquarters.
The National Road Safety Council and Transport Licensing Board members are expected to attend, according to a letter of January 27.
Sources said proprietors of companies involved in accidents would be required to explain the circumstances under which their vehicles crashed, killing passengers.
Measures to end the carnage that has put Uganda on the list of countries notorious for road fatalities will also be devised. At the weekend, 19 people died in accidents across the country.
The most fatal occurred in Kamuli where a lorry carrying traders from Kidera trading centre to Kamuli town overturned at Nawantale village on Saturday night, killing 10 people. Another two died on the way to Jinja Hospital.
On Tuesday, three people lost their lives in accidents that occurred at Katelemwa in Wakiso district and on Masaka road where a multiple crash happened.
The death toll rose to four after a Congolese identified as Olivia died at Mulago Hospital on Wednesday.
Several victims with broken limbs among other injuries remained at Mulago.
Today’s meeting will be the second time that Kayihura interacts with bus operators over road accidents.
In a similar meeting last year, the Police boss called for tracking of the history of bus drivers so as to minimise habitual offenders.
He also ordered the verification of driving permits and that drivers stick to their buses and routes. Acting traffic and road safety chief Basil Mugisha attributed the road accidents to indiscipline.
“Personnel were deployed when a truck broke down on Masaka road. However, when the Police waved down a bus, the driver continued, oblivious of the warning,†Mugisha said in an interview.
“The driver ignored the signs of the problem until he rammed into the stationary truck.â€
Mugisha said more traffic officers would be deployed upcountry, adding that the Police would organise road sensitisation campaigns.
and Herbert Ssempogo
BUS operators countrywide have been summoned to Kampala for a meeting following a spate of accidents in which over 23 people lost their lives in four days.
The meeting, ordered by the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, is scheduled for today at the Police headquarters.
The National Road Safety Council and Transport Licensing Board members are expected to attend, according to a letter of January 27.
Sources said proprietors of companies involved in accidents would be required to explain the circumstances under which their vehicles crashed, killing passengers.
Measures to end the carnage that has put Uganda on the list of countries notorious for road fatalities will also be devised. At the weekend, 19 people died in accidents across the country.
The most fatal occurred in Kamuli where a lorry carrying traders from Kidera trading centre to Kamuli town overturned at Nawantale village on Saturday night, killing 10 people. Another two died on the way to Jinja Hospital.
On Tuesday, three people lost their lives in accidents that occurred at Katelemwa in Wakiso district and on Masaka road where a multiple crash happened.
The death toll rose to four after a Congolese identified as Olivia died at Mulago Hospital on Wednesday.
Several victims with broken limbs among other injuries remained at Mulago.
Today’s meeting will be the second time that Kayihura interacts with bus operators over road accidents.
In a similar meeting last year, the Police boss called for tracking of the history of bus drivers so as to minimise habitual offenders.
He also ordered the verification of driving permits and that drivers stick to their buses and routes. Acting traffic and road safety chief Basil Mugisha attributed the road accidents to indiscipline.
“Personnel were deployed when a truck broke down on Masaka road. However, when the Police waved down a bus, the driver continued, oblivious of the warning,†Mugisha said in an interview.
“The driver ignored the signs of the problem until he rammed into the stationary truck.â€
Mugisha said more traffic officers would be deployed upcountry, adding that the Police would organise road sensitisation campaigns.