Police in Kigezi Region have registered 26 road crashes, including 10 fatal, 12 serious and six minor crashes in the past two months, prompting intensified road safety operations, according to the regional police spokesperson, SP Nelson Tumushime.
While addressing journalists in Kabale District, SP Tumushime said the crashes had resulted in loss of lives and left several road users with serious injuries along the Kanungu-Rukungiri-Ntungamo and Kabale-Kisoro-Mbarara roads.
He said police are concerned about the increasing number of fatal crashes and will intensify operations targeting motorists involved in dangerous road practices.
SP Tumushime cited a recent crash in Rukungiri District involving an Isuzu truck carrying pilgrims. The truck reportedly failed to negotiate a corner before colliding with a boda boda rider, killing four people instantly and leaving more than 30 others seriously injured.
On September 20, a cyclist was killed after he was involved in a crash with a runaway trailer. The victim, identified as Rodgers Akanyijuka, 19, a resident of Kahondo Village, Kaharo Sub-county in Kabale District, died at the scene.
Another fatal crash occurred in Rubanda District on Monday when a Toyota Noah reportedly failed to negotiate a corner, killing two people, including Rev Sr Tugumenawe Mary Gorret Kenda, 58, who was attached to Kabale Diocese, and an unidentified adult male.
Police said several other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The injured were identified as Katushabe Jenerus, 47, of Nyakabungo Village, Kishanje Parish, Bufundi Sub-county in Rubanda District; Hakiza Abed, 30, a Rwandan national; and Garuka Hamis, 54.
“We shall continue to arrest motorists and drivers who will not conform to road safety guidelines,” SP Tumushime said.
He said the operations will target motorists who overspeed, overtake dangerously, drive under the influence of alcohol or operate vehicles and motorcycles in dangerous mechanical conditions.
Police will also target motorists operating overloaded vehicles as part of efforts to reduce road crashes in the region.
CUE IN TUMUSHIME….ON ACCIDENTS….RR/ENG//
SP Tumushime urged motorists to exercise caution while using the roads, warning that speeding and reckless driving can have fatal consequences.
“Speed kills. Life has no spare parts,” he said.
He also urged vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are regularly serviced, saying no business is worth risking people’s lives.
The police spokesperson encouraged members of the public to report dangerous driving to the nearest police station, while religious leaders, local leaders and schools were asked to support police in promoting road safety awareness.
SP Tumushime said police will continue arresting and prosecuting motorists who violate road safety regulations and the Highway Code.
CUE IN TUMUSHIME….ON THE CALL….RR/ENG//
