The parliament of Uganda yesterday 16th May 2023 approved the amendment of the traffic and road safety bill 2023, which, among other things, provided for a speed limit in the bill, which aims at easing and controlling speed through express penalties.
According to the bill, whoever fails to comply with the speed limit act under subsection (1) commits an offense and is liable to a fine not exceeding 2 million shillings or imprisonment not exceeding three years.
“Whoever fails to comply with the speed limit bill commits an offense and is liable to conviction; a fine of 2 million shillings or imprisonment not exceeding three years will be served. Noting that the previous fine was UGX 200,000 only, “the bill reads in part
The Minister of Works and Transport (MOWT), Gen. Katumba Wamala, signed the Traffic and Safety Bill. Which was one of the tax bills the state minister for finance in charge of planning, Amos Lugoloobi, had presented in parliament last week.
The legislation gives powers to the Minister of Works and Transport to, prescribe temporary maximum speed limits for motor vehicles, trailers and any engineering plants, of different classes or descriptions on any part of any road for such a period as may be specified in order.
According to the minister of works and transport, Gen. Katumba, the proposed bill is part of the decided-upon interventions towards solving and curbing the high rate of accidents on the road and in the country, which will raise more tax revenue for the country’s treasury.
The government’s statistics on roads and safety indicate that more than 80% of accidents occurring on Ugandan roads arise from overspeeding, and between 3500 and 4000 Ugandans perish every year on average. With the bill in place, the Ministry of Works and Transport is positive accidents will be minimized.
