Members of Parliament have called on the government to urgently overhaul Uganda’s road safety framework following a surge in deadly traffic accidents, the latest being the horrific crash along the Kampala–Gulu highway on October 22 that left 46 people dead.
During Tuesday’s plenary sitting, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa described the tragedy as a “grim reminder” of systemic failures in road regulation and enforcement. He condemned reckless driving among truck operators, accusing some of them of acting “with impunity.”
“I was nearly crushed by a Sino truck driver. He rammed into the car behind me and then fled. When we reached out to the owners, they acted arrogantly as though other road users have no right to be on the road. These trucks carrying sand and cows are a real menace,” Tayebwa told Parliament.
Lawmakers across all party lines echoed their frustration, demanding stronger laws, stiffer penalties, and better road infrastructure management to curb preventable accidents.
Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye highlighted the destruction caused by overloaded trucks on rural roads, urging the Ministry of Works and Transport to grant local governments more authority to regulate truck movements.
“In my constituency alone, five bridges have been damaged by these heavy trucks. Districts should be given authority to control their movements and protect rural infrastructure,” Mwijukye said.
Wakiso District Woman MP, Ethel Naluyima, faulted the lack of road signage and warning markers at known accident-prone spots, saying this continues to cost lives. She called for a nationwide safety audit and proper marking of danger zones.
Lawmakers also proposed introducing tougher penalties for negligent and repeat offenders, including creating a national tracking system for driving permits to monitor habitual traffic violators. Such a system, they argued, would allow authorities to suspend or revoke licenses before tragedies occur.
Elderly Representative, Joy Waako, urged enforcement of the policy requiring two drivers on long-distance bus routes, warning that fatigue during the festive season often leads to fatal crashes.
“Drivers rush to make as many trips as possible because they’re paid per journey. To save lives, every long-distance bus should have two drivers sharing the route,” Waako said.
The Uganda Police Annual Crime Report (2024) recorded 25,107 road accidents, a 6.4 percent increase from 2023 a statistic MPs say underscores the need for urgent reform.
As Parliament observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Kampala-Gulu crash, lawmakers united in their appeal for the government to act decisively.
