By Moses Andama
In Hoima
www.mknewslink.com—-
Police in the Albertine (Bunyoro) South Region have recalled all trucks carrying vendors for inspection and vowed to strictly arrest both drivers and passengers found having overloaded vehicles.
It follows a nasty accident that left 19 traders dead and another 13 injured in Kigorobya town council, Hoima district early this month.
SSP Titus Byaruhanga, the Assistant Regional Police Commander (A/RPC), Albertine (Bunyoro) South has told www.mknewslink.com news website that the latest fatal accident opened their eyes on how the public is maneuvering to violate traffic rules resulting into deaths.
“It has come clear that the vehicle was overloaded and had a mechanical condition in brakes and so we have devised a number of measures working with stakeholders to prevent a recurrence of such incidents,” he said.
SP Joram Tumwebaze, the Regional Officer in-Charge of Traffic Albertine South, said they have instructed all drivers of vehicles that transport vendors to present them for inspection as a matter of urgency.
“Vendors have been banned from travelling on the same vehicles that transport their merchandise. Passengers travelling on overloaded vehicles will now be arrested and prosecuted along with the drivers. The trucks must also have acquired the respective transport license like the Operators Travel Van (OTV).
On his side, Mr Ham Mugisa, the Chairperson for Hoima Taxi/Bus Park Management, said they are making internal scrutiny amongst drivers to always be mindful of the mechanical conditions of the vehicles before starting the journey.
He, however, said some accidents have been caused by lack of road signs on some roads in the region especially those not yet completed and those where they have been vandalised.
According to him, the relevant authorities should take it seriously along with community sensitisation.
Meanwhile, SP Tumwebaze said as another important measure to curb accidents, the traffic police have intensified community sensitisation where they are meeting different groups of common road users like motorcycle taxi (boda-boda) riders from their stages.
“We are telling them to avoid speeding, riding or driving while drunk and over loading among other common causes of accidents,” he said.
Bunyoro sub-region which is currently believed to have the longest network of tarmac roads in the country has witnessed a sharp increase in road crashes in the past five years.
At least one road crash is reported every day in Buliisa district perhaps because it has high traffic since it hosts the Tilenga oil project.