The former Chairman of Uganda Morrison Rwakakamba has joined several Ugandans who are calling for the repeal of the recent operatonalised Express Penalty System along the major Ugandan Highways.
“The spirit of Express Penalty System (EPS) is from a deeper part of the hearts of policy makers/managers, Because of speeding on our roads we have lost so many” Rwakakamba shared his opinion on social media.
Available data indicate that in 2024, at least 5,144 people were killed in road crashes in Uganda and this foregoing represents a 7% increase from the 4,806 fatalities reported in 2023.
The Data presented by then Acting Director of Traffic Police, Lawrence Niwabiine, that reported 4,806 Ugandans who died in road crashes in 2023, accounting for 13 deaths per day which was an increase compared to the 4,534 deaths recorded in 2022.
“Just imagine over 5000 coffins every year, wailing families, friends and communities of the departed and dreams extinguished” Rwakakamba lamented.
These crashes and attendant fatalities are caused by many factors but speed is at the center of it and this Express Penalty System is a correct BUT is rushed policy.
“The spirit is right, but it’s flesh, bones, eyes, arms etc are weak, dislocated and not aligned in the right place to allow the body to move seamlesly! I have indeed seen the many, not the few rightfully complaning about the pricing of penalty prices, the speed limits,” He said.
Rwakakamba who is a Havard University Alumni said that personally, he has an issue that will be hopefully engaged with resultant guidance or action.
“I sold a car sometime last year, the client is yet to complete payment — and I can’t tranfer the car to client before full payment is made. The car was captured somewhere on Entebbe expressway, the Ugx 600,000 penalty ( failure to comply with prescribed speed limit) was sent to my email! ofcourse I reached out to the client, but its my name in the Police Book! I am a legal owner but not the current legitimate operator of the car” He said.
He said that there are ways and perhaps means for the policy architects to takecare of these nuances within the policy (e.g. a mechanism to inform or alert the EPS implementers (Police) of incomplete vehicle transactions).
Implementable good policy is heavily consultative as it defines objectives, engages stakeholders, uses evidence-based decision-making, and ensuring clear and consistent implementation and evaluation.
He said that this Express Penalty System needs to get back to ground zero, aquire a win-win and go on to expand order on our roads and save lives and also said that he hopeful that The Ministry Works Transport and The Uganda Police are testing this Policy with intent to generate feedback, refine and get us a hybrid Express Penalty System.
