Government Issues Guidelines for Public Transport Ahead of the Festive Season

The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Works and Transport has issued several guidelines to ensure the safety of travelers throughout the upcoming festive season. The Ministry outlined a series of regulations that must be followed in order to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for those on the road. The primary objective of these regulations is to reduce the number of road accidents and deaths during the holiday season.

According to the Ministry, the guidelines cover a range of topics including road safety, lane discipline, and general responsible driving. Drivers will be expected to adhere to the speed limits, keep to their lanes and maintain a safe distance between themselves and other vehicles.

While addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala on 6^th December 2022, Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport advised public transport drivers to avoid reckless driving and making return journeys focusing on earnings instead of people’s lives.

The Traffic Police Spokesperson Faridah Nampiima cautioned drivers, especially the bus drivers against over speeding as this may lead to accidents.

Nampiima urged the public transport drivers to follow road safety rules and guidelines that have been issued by the authorities.

“I would like to advise public transport drivers especially the bus drivers to follow road safety rules and regulations that have been issued by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety,” she said.

According to the reports released by the Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, at least 58 people perished in accidents recorded during last year’s Christmas holiday. It was discovered that reckless driving contributed to the biggest number of these accidents.

The Directorate’s statistics show that altogether, 248 people were involved in accidents recorded between December 23 and 26, 2021.

Over the years, December has been leading in the number of fatalities and serious accidents. Police records show 3,070 people were arrested for violating traffic rules and regulations between 23^rd and 26^th December 2021, while tickets of Ugx200,000 were issued to 644 drivers for reckless driving.