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Road safety begins with accountability
Ugandans deserve a traffic enforcement system that prioritises public safety over personal gain. A Government that has consistently declared its commitment to fighting corruption should ensure that allegations of corruption within traffic enforcement are investigated, that officers found guilty are held accountable and honest officers are supported to do their work professionally.
Justus Ahimbisibwe. (Courtesy)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
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OPINION
By Justus Ahimbisibwe
The recent tragic bus crash in Kapchorwa district, which claimed the lives of students, teachers and the school owner, has once again left Uganda in mourning. Every road tragedy raises difficult questions about whether enough is being done to protect the lives of our citizens.
Following the road crash, the education ministry suspended school trips as a precautionary measure. While this may reduce immediate risks, it does not address what I believe is one of the underlying issues contributing to road tragedies in Uganda — the failure to consistently enforce traffic laws.
As someone who has relied on public transport since childhood, I have witnessed practices on our roads that deeply concern me. Almost every day, I have observed some traffic officers stepping aside with drivers for what many road users commonly refer to as “peace talks”. On other occasions, I have seen taxi and other public service vehicle drivers throw money towards officers, who then pick it up, before the vehicles continue their journeys.
These are my personal observations, and they reflect concerns that many Ugandans openly discuss. If corruption allows unroadworthy vehicles or traffic offenders to escape proper enforcement, then the consequences can be devastating. It is important that any allegations of corruption are thoroughly investigated and addressed through the lawful processes.
Ugandans deserve a traffic enforcement system that prioritises public safety over personal gain. A Government that has consistently declared its commitment to fighting corruption should ensure that allegations of corruption within traffic enforcement are investigated, that officers found guilty are held accountable and honest officers are supported to do their work professionally.
As someone who has relied on public transport since childhood, I have witnessed practices on our roads that deeply concern me. Almost every day, I have observed some traffic officers stepping aside with drivers for what many road users commonly refer to as “peace talks”. On other occasions, I have seen taxi and other public service vehicle drivers throw money towards officers, who then pick it up, before the vehicles continue their journeys.
These are my personal observations, and they reflect concerns that many Ugandans openly discuss. If corruption allows unroadworthy vehicles or traffic offenders to escape proper enforcement, then the consequences can be devastating. It is important that any allegations of corruption are thoroughly investigated and addressed through the lawful processes.
Ugandans deserve a traffic enforcement system that prioritises public safety over personal gain. A Government that has consistently declared its commitment to fighting corruption should ensure that allegations of corruption within traffic enforcement are investigated, that officers found guilty are held accountable and honest officers are supported to do their work professionally.
Road safety is a shared responsibility. Vehicle owners must maintain roadworthy vehicles, transport companies should never compromise safety for profit, drivers must obey traffic regulations, schools should carefully select transport providers, and government agencies must enforce road safety standards fairly and without exception.
We cannot stop road accidents simply by suspending school trips. We must confront the systemic weaknesses that allow unsafe vehicles and dangerous practices to continue. If we genuinely want to save lives, accountability and integrity within traffic law enforcement must be part of the national conversation.
The victims of the Kapchorwa tragedy deserve more than our condolences. They deserve reforms that will help prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
The writer is a sociologist and co-founder of Ibanda Citizens Voice Forum
We cannot stop road accidents simply by suspending school trips. We must confront the systemic weaknesses that allow unsafe vehicles and dangerous practices to continue. If we genuinely want to save lives, accountability and integrity within traffic law enforcement must be part of the national conversation.
The victims of the Kapchorwa tragedy deserve more than our condolences. They deserve reforms that will help prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
The writer is a sociologist and co-founder of Ibanda Citizens Voice Forum