By In a bid to tackle the alarming increase in road accidents and fatalities across Uganda, the Kampala Metropolitan North Traffic Police Commander, SSP Bruce Oinebyona, has announced a raft of new traffic enforcement measures that will see motorists face stiffer penalties for traffic violations, including speeding.
Speaking during an engagement with digital transport stakeholders and boda boda riders in Kampala, Oinebyona emphasized that road fatalities had reached a critical level, especially among young motorcyclists, prompting the need for more stringent enforcement of traffic regulations.
Also Read
How to Build a Successful Non-Profit Organization in Africa
Government Suspends YY Coaches Over Fatal Crashes
DP In ICU, Needs Revival- Lumu Decries ‘Sham’ Vetting Ahead Of DP Elections
FDC Eyes Unity As Flag Bearer Vetting Takes Center Stage
Bobi Wine, EU Envoy Meet Over Rights Abuses Ahead Of 2026 Polls
Lukwago Declares PFF Registration Complete, Mobilization Underway
“Last year alone, we lost 5,144 people in road crashes. Out of these, 1,720 were boda boda riders. This is an extremely worrying trend,” he said. “Most of those dying on the roads are our youth between the ages of 18 and 29. These are the future of our nation, and we cannot afford to lose them at such a rate.”
To address this crisis, Oinebyona explained that the government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, had rolled out a digital surveillance system capable of enforcing traffic laws around the clock regardless of weather or time of day.
“Unlike before, traffic law enforcement will no longer depend solely on physical officers. Cameras will now monitor violations 24/7,” he noted.
He highlighted that the first phase of the initiative is targeting two major offenses: speeding and disregard for speed limits in designated areas. Oinebyona outlined specific limits that motorists must now observe or risk hefty fines.
“In built-up areas, such as near schools, markets, and churches, the speed limit is strictly 30 kilometers per hour. On highways, drivers must not exceed 90 kilometers per hour,” he said. “If you are caught exceeding these limits for example, driving at 65 kilometers per hour in a 30kph zone you will be issued a ticket of Shs600, 000.”
Additionally, the payment window for fines has been drastically shortened. Motorists now have only 72 hours down from 28 days to pay the issued penalty. Failure to pay within that time will attract a 50 percent surcharge, bringing the total payment to Shs900, 000 in the above example.
The commander dismissed claims that the penalties are a revenue-generating scheme, insisting that the intention is to improve road discipline and protect lives.
“This is not about collecting money. These are punishments meant to deter bad behavior on the road,” he said. “We want every road user to take responsibility and be considerate of others. Road safety is a shared obligation.”
Also Read
Court Blocks Nalukoola’s Bid To Cross-Examine Nambi’s Witnesses
Lukolokomba Takes Over as Buikwe DP Chair, As Lulume Steps Down
Cardinal Reveals What It Was Like To Be Part Of Conclave
Urban Leaders In Western Uganda Urged To Tackle Waste And Land Management
Defence Ministry Launches Empowerment Workshop For Veterans And Families In Mbale
Trump Unveils ‘Project Homecoming’ to Encourage Voluntary Self-Deportation
Agago Teacher Arrested For Alleged Defilement, Police Foil Mob Attack
Oinebyona called on boda boda riders who remain among the most vulnerable road users to heed the regulations and adopt safer riding practices.
“These laws are not only meant to protect pedestrians and passengers but also you the riders and drivers,” he stressed.
The campaign comes when the Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended operations of YY Coaches for 15 days following two road crashes in just two weeks, one of which claimed multiple lives.
1 Comment