Authorities in the Kasese District have launched a renewed crackdown on reckless driving, following the arrest of a motorist caught endangering lives on one of western Uganda’s busiest transport corridors.

The Rwenzori East regional police intercepted a suspect identified as Joseph Ziryawulamu, the driver of a vehicle registered under number plate UAN 422X, as he traveled from Kampala toward the Bwera–Mpondwe Border Town.

Ziryawulamu was charged under Code 6 of the amended Road and Safety Act, which prohibits dangerous driving. The offense carries a fine of UGX 200,000.

According to SP George Onono, the Regional Traffic Officer for Rwenzori East, Ziryawulamu’s driving posed a serious threat to public safety.

“Under the amended law, Code 6 violations attract significant penalties. We are not waiting for accidents to happen. Our job is prevention through strict enforcement,” SP Onono said.

The operation is part of a wider campaign to improve road safety along the Kampala–Bwera highway, a critical route for cross-border trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Increasing traffic volumes especially from cargo trucks have heightened the risk of road accidents on the poorly maintained highway.

SP Nelson Tumushime, the Rwenzori East Police spokesperson, said the new enforcement measures are meant to curb the growing disregard for traffic laws.

“We urge all road users, drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians alike to follow safety regulations. Non-compliance will result in arrest and prosecution,”  SP Tumushime warned.

While the public has largely welcomed the increased police presence, many say deeper issues must be addressed to make the roads truly safe.

John Baluku, a boda boda rider at Kasese Main Stage, pointed to dangerous road conditions as a major contributor to accidents.

“Due to the potholes and narrow lanes, we are often forced to swerve or enter the opposite lane illegally, increasing the risk of losing control,” he said.

Florence Kabugho, a representative of the Kasese Drivers’ Cooperative, echoed similar concerns, calling for infrastructure upgrades alongside enforcement.

“We appreciate police efforts, but real safety requires better roads, proper signage, and regulation of old mechanically unstable vehicles,” she said.

The Kampala–Bwera highway remains vital to Uganda’s economy, yet many stretches suffer from poor maintenance, lack of street lighting, and inconsistent traffic patrols. With road usage on the rise, authorities are under increasing pressure to ensure that infrastructure and enforcement keep pace with economic growth.

Police say more traffic operations and community sensitization campaigns are planned in the coming weeks as part of a long-term effort to reduce road fatalities in the region.