In an effort to address road safety accidents,government is considering holding vehicle owners accountable for traffic violations committed using their vehicles
Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety and Chief Licensing Officer of Motor Vehicles at the Ministry of Works and Transport,the new measures will strengthen road safety enforcement amidst growing concern of over speeding, reckless driving and other dangerous road practices that continue to contribute to road accident across the country.
“One of the most far-reaching recommendations would require vehicle owners to take greater responsibility for how their vehicles are used. Under the new proposal, owners could face penalties if their vehicles are involved in traffic offences or are fitted with unauthorized modifications,”Katushabe stated.
Katushabe stressed that vehicle owners have a duty to know who is operating their vehicles and should be able to provide that information whenever authorities are investigating an offence.
He further revealed that Ministry of works is working with vehicle inspection agencies and National Environment Management Authority to tackle rising noise pollution caused by motorists installing horns that exceed approved noise levels.
Katushabe also said government seeking to address driver fatigue, which road safety experts identify as a major contributor to road crashes, especially among commercial and public transport operators.
Under the proposed framework, public service vehicle drivers would be subjected to biometric monitoring systems capable of tracking working hours and rest periods.
“We want to ensure that drivers have adequate rest before starting another journey because fatigue is one of the major contributors to road crashes and speeding,” Katushabe explained.
Katushabe however said public education on road safety without enforcement becomes entertainment.
“We must combine sensitization with effective enforcement if we are to improve road safety on our roads,” he said.
According to Police Road traffic crashes in Uganda claim an average of 15 lives every day, resulting in over 5,300 deaths annually. This growing public health crisis has seen a steady upward trend in fatalities over the past four years, despite ongoing enforcement and public awareness campaigns
Vulnerable road users—specifically pedestrians and boda boda (motorcycle) riders—bear the brunt of the casualties. Pedestrians account for approximately 43% of all fatalities, while motorcyclists and their passengers also face disproportionately high death rates, largely due to non-compliance with helmet standards
