The Kampala metropolitan police commander, Rogers Kawuma Nsereko, has said the impunity on roads is getting out of their hands. Nsereko, who was speaking to the journalists on road safety, said the road crashes and confusion on roads are a result of impunity.
Citing an example of a government vehicle driver who almost crashed him around ministry of internal affairs, Nsereko said it was absurd that the principals are always reading newspapers or attending to their phones as drivers abuse road regulations.
“The impunity is up there. This morning along Jinja road, there was a government vehicle that came at the extreme at the end of internal affairs. Part of the vehicle was on the road and another part of the pavement and speeding. What kind of government are you presenting?” Nsereko said.
Nsereko’s concern comes on the heels of recent incidents of impunity especially from military officials that have even shot or beaten traffic police officers. Last month, soldiers in a military vehicle D02DF08P assault a traffic policeman at Mackay Plaza along Kyaggwe road in Kisekka market. The traffic policeman was assaulted for failing to push the four vehicles that were ahead aside for them to pass.
Four months earlier, traffic police officer Ronald Mukebezi, was shot for attempting to take a military vehicle that had knocked Kobil fuel station signpost along Ntinda-Kiwatule road to Kira road police station.
Mukebezi was amputated as a result of the bullet in his right leg. To date, Uganda People’s Defence Forces -UPDF have never arrested Corporal Bashir Mango who shot him during the scuffle.
Nsereko wondered why people think have much powers than him who gets stuck in jam yet he has a police vehicle with sirens and rooflights. Nsereko said he will never push people off roads in order to pass because he plans his movements in time.
Sam Bambanza, the executive director, explains road crashes can be reduced if people recognised the risk factor like drink-drug driving, not wearing seat belt, speeding, not wearing crash helmets and not having child restraints in cars.
Bambanza express worry over the increasing daily deaths from 10 to 12 while on some days shoots to 14 people losing life every day. Another thing Bambanza emphasizes is post-crash management system.
Nsereko has revealed that they are working with minister for works and transport Gen Katumba Wamala to devise means of dealing with impunity on roads. Nsereko has also urged drivers to respect traffic officers and traffic regulations if they want to have safer roads.