Police impounds 33 government vehicles in the “Towa Fujjo Bara Baraani” operation
Relatedly, Nampiima noted that the same operations are to be extended to highways where drivers of lorries and buses possessing extra lights affecting visibility at night will be impounded.
Over 733 vehicles have been impounded by police in a joint operation coordinated by the traffic directorate in partnership with the field force unit and military police between 19th – 23rd September. Of these, a police report says, 33 are government vehicles while 700 are privately owned.
The operation dubbed “Towa Fujjo Bara Baraani” commenced last week; and according to Faridah Nampiima, the vehicles were from mainly Kampala metropolitan areas of Kampala East, Kampala North, and Kampala south.
“In Kampala east, 6 government and 233 private vehicles were impounded. In Kampala north, 26 government and 285 private vehicles were impounded,” Nampiima revealed. In Kampala south, Nampiima said, 1 government vehicle and 182 private vehicles were impounded.
The operation which focused on peak hours managed to curb 524 vehicles which were using flashlights and serene illegally. 209 vehicles were impounded for careless driving. As a way of punishing the culprits, Nampiima noted that Express Penalty System tickets were issued whereas others were cautioned.
“Those that were issued EPS tickets were 342 while those that were cautioned are 13. Those that had lights and they got removed were 511 and those deregistered were 75. So the operation has now achieved success. We are continuing with the operation to fight the impunity on our roads,” she stated.
Police has warned VIPs who don’t want to respect the right of way by using sirens and driving in the wrong lane. Nampiima said VIPs with escort cars should let the police officers driving them to do their duties as assigned to them by law.
“Allow escort cars to do their work. Once you’re given an escort and you remove the number plate it’s an offence. Once you’re given an escort car and start using it as a lead car it’s an offence too. These people are supposed to guard you and please don’t misuse them,” she said.
Relatedly, Nampiima noted that the same operations are to be extended to highways where drivers of lorries and buses possessing extra lights affecting visibility at night will be impounded.
Among other vehicles warned of impunity included funeral service vehicles which possess serenes and roof lights. Nampiima said these do not have right of way since they are carrying dead bodies and have no emergency operations they are carrying out.
