130 arrested over drunk driving

By Jeff Andrew Lule & Simon Masaba

KAMPALA - Police in Kampala have arrested at least 130 motorists in different parts of the city over drunken driving.

They were arrested by Kira road and Katwe Police from areas of Makindye, Ntinda, Bukoto and Kamwokya in a Saturday late-night operation to crack down on suspected such drivers.

The over 100 drivers remain in detention at both police stations.

“Our traffic officers are to determine on whether they [the suspects] should be given tickets or charge them and take them to court,” Katwe Police boss, Alberto Issmat pointed out.

He was quick to add that: “But we are determined to get all those who disobey the traffic rules and regulations. We cannot afford to watch as our people continue perishing due to recklessness.”

Before their arrest, the suspects were subjected to a breathalyzer test and all exceeded the standard limit.

The legally prescribed limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, (expressed as 0.08% of blood-alcohol content) which is equivalent to 35 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milligrams of breath.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol is key to road accidents in the city and our operations are meant to reduce them. We are deploying more officers during this Easter season and after. Lives must be saved,” Issmat noted.

He made it clear that 85% of road accidents are due to human factors like drunk driving and over-speeding.

Issmat said the suspects are likely to pay a fine of sh200,000 or be charged with disobeying traffic rules and regulations and drunk driving.

He said those who will be found to have taken too much alcohol will have their permits confiscated and will have to go through the normal process of acquiring a new permit.

Kira road Police also arrested seven suspects over aggravated rape and murder.

Its Division Police Commander (DPC), Peter Nkulenga said the suspects allegedly raped and murdered Ruth Nakazibwe in Kyaliwajala and dumped her body along Namugongo road two weeks back.

They were arrested from Kira trading centre on Sunday morning. He declined to name them, saying it would interfere with their investigations.

“We first arrested four of them who directed us to the other three. We suspect they murdered Nakazibwe but you never know others might be still at large. We intend to take them to court on Tuesday after interrogation,” Nkulange noted.

Another 35 suspected criminals were arrested over aggravated robbery and assault by Katwe Police.

“Eight of the suspects have pending files at police. They have been on the run but we have them now. We are going to screen the rest and see what we can do because some are juveniles,” Issmat said.