Traffic Police ordered to reinstate Operation Fika Salama
Dec 09, 2020
The minister said the festive season mixed with a political season calls for special interventions to save the lives of road users
The minister of works and transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has ordered the Traffic Police to reinstate Operation Fika Salama among other interventions to contain fatalities during this festive season.
He said the current rate of recklessness among motorists has resulted in increased fatalities and injuries and requires special treatment.
Operation Fika Salama was a special intervention to reduce accidents, pioneered in 2016 by the Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) enforced by the Traffic Police and other security organs as well as the works and transport ministry among other stakeholders in enforcing the traffic regulations.
Gen. Wamala who was opening this year's road safety summit at the Kampala Serena Hotel in Kampala on Tuesday said he wants to see reduced accidents on the road.
He said this year's festive season that is happening during an active political season called for special interventions to save the lives of road users.
"Something must be done to bring to an end those who drive while talking on phone and drivers of high-performance vehicles who abuse the right of way and those driving under the influence of alcohol," he said.
Bazil Mugisha the acting director for traffic and road safety said the abuse of roads through reckless driving is among other causes of fatalities and injuries.
Gilbert Addi the managing director for Vivo Energy, the lead organisers for the summit, said a lot more is needed to ensure the safety of the lives of road users through continuous engagement of all the stakeholders.
Winston Katushabe the chief licensing officer and the commissioner for transport regulations said the ministry amended the Traffic and Road Safety Act to bring sanity to the road.