Speaker calls for countrywide enforcement of Boda Boda operation

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has commended and urged the police to cascade the operation to other parts of the country and sustain the enforcement.

She said the incidences and costs of road accidents are so high, calling for the need for a concerted effort to tackle it.

The Speaker’s call follows the police’s announcement to carry out an operation to crack down on errant Boda Boda riders in Kampala.

This came after police released CCTV footage in the same week highlighting graphic details of accidents involving boda boda cyclists.

“I am aware that the Chairperson of the Committee on Health, Dr. Ayume Charles, has conducted a study on the magnitude of road traffic injuries reporting to public hospitals in Uganda and the cost of treatment. We shall accord him time to present it,” the Speaker said.

As of today, the Police Spokesperson in charge of the traffic directorate has indicated that the operation has resulted in impounding 6,374 motorcycles country-wide in the last two days.

She said the operation which has joined its third day, is mainly targeting crash/safety helmets and retro-reflective jackets.

“A total number of 4,926 EPS tickets were issued to offenders while 1,448 motorcycles are pending at the stations. This operation continues. We would like to thank the general public for their support. We equally thank the riders who have complied,” she added.

According to the 2021 Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety report, 4,159 road accident fatalities countrywide were recorded. Of these 1,390 involved motorcycle riders while 528 were passengers on motorcycles.

This translates to about four people dying from boda boda accidents every day and about 116 every month.

MP wants local government to be empowered to handle disasters & emergencies

The State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Esther Anyakun, Wednesday presented a statement on the National Disaster Risk Management Plan.

The plan seeks to address Parliament on the impact of disasters on the Socio-Economic Development of the Country and apprise the house of the Cabinet-approved National Disaster Risk