NEWS- The Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Dr Elisa Rutahigwa has revealed that Uganda’s 11th Parliament is working on regulating boda boda activities in a bid to reduce accidents on the Country’s roads.
MP Rutahigwa made the revelation on Tuesday July 30th 2024 during the Municipal’s Western Division’s extra ordinary meeting to bid farewell to the fallen Councillor, Hon Kazooba Fedel, who served as the Vice Division Chairperson and Representative for the Elderly.
The sitting was convened in honour of the late Kazooba who tragically died in a motorcycle accident along Republic Road in Rukungiri Municipality on Sunday night, July 20, 2024, around 8:00 PM.
Hon Rutahigwa who was saddened by the accident called upon boda boda riders to exercise high level of caution once on the road and avoid working under the influence of drugs if such cases are to be controlled.
According to Rutahigwa, most accidents on Ugandan roads normally involve boda boda riders hence a need to have the trend turned around.
Kamusiime Matthias, the Western Division Council Speaker praised the Late Kazooba for his exemplary time management, leadership skills, and role as a chaplain of the council. Kamusiime emphasized that such an extraordinary council siting was fit to honour his contributions.
Hon. Sylvia Katimbira, the Division Chairperson, noted that as the representative for the elderly, the Late Kazooba was a valuable advisor and fostered a strong working relationship between the division executive, Councillors, and technical staff.
Katimbira recalled that the council, which started in 2024 with 15 members, now has only 13, following the loss of both Councillor Arthur Muhaabwa and now the Late Kazooba.
SP Michael Kananura, the spokesperson Traffic and Road Safety Directorate said early July that in the accidents, which happened between June 23 and June 29, 2024, claimed 28 pedestrians, 27 motorcycle riders, and 12 passengers (on motorcycles).
July 7th – 13th July 2024, Police reported 81 people died and 301 sustained injuries in road related accidents. In the same week, operations related to boda-bodas saw 787 riders got on cases of riding without crash helmets and without reflective jackets
Crashes on motor cycles, both riders and passengers accounted for 59% of the total death on roads in the past week, followed by pedestrians who contributed to 35%.
Among the dead are 35 motorcyclists, 28 pedestrians, 13 passengers on motor cycles, three pedal cyclists, one driver and one other person.
