The Uganda Traffic Police has resumed operations targeting motorists driving without valid licenses and those neglecting traffic guidelines.
Michael Kananura, the Traffic and Road Safety official, announced on Tuesday that the operations would focus on drivers and riders without valid licenses, including expired, out-of-class licenses, and boda bodas without riding licenses, reflective jackets, and helmets.
Kananura explained that those found guilty would face charges or fines according to the Traffic and Road Safety Amendment Act 2020. He highlighted Section 35 of the Act, which prohibits driving without a license, with penalties of fines up to 600,000 shillings or imprisonment.
Furthermore, Section 176 (1) of the Act states that contravening these regulations constitutes an offense, punishable by fines not exceeding 300 currency points (6,00,000/=) or imprisonment up to six months, or both. Offenders in these operations would be issued EPS tickets in line with EPS regulations 2013.
Recent traffic reports indicate a concerning prevalence of accidents, with 81 fatalities and 381 injuries recorded over a seven-day period from March 10–16, 2024.
Kananura attributed these accidents to factors such as careless overtaking, speeding, tailgating, and sudden entrance from road sides and junctions. Among the fatalities, 22 were motorcyclists, 35 pedestrians, and 14 passengers aboard motorcycles.
Kananura urged all road users to exercise caution, adhere to traffic regulations, and prioritize safety to prevent such tragic accidents, emphasizing the need for enhanced road safety measures.
Police statistics revealed that 4,806 Ugandans lost their lives in road crashes in 2023, marking a notable increase from the 4,534 deaths recorded in the previous year.
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