Lower Madi County in Madi-Okollo District, the Parliamentary representative Hon. Ronald Afidra, has called for a review of Uganda’s traffic laws following several road accidents registered over the Easter period.
During the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday, April 4, 2024, Afidra mentioned that the Police reported more than 80 Ugandans lost their lives through accidents and there were more than 200 accidents during Easter alone. He suggested that the Parliament consider reviewing the speed limit for different vehicles and motorbikes in Kampala, referring to Rwanda’s revision of speed limits within the city down to 60kph from 120kph, which has reduced the country’s accident rates.
Afidra also highlighted the impact of poor road infrastructure in rural areas and urged the finance ministry to release the funds provided under the Road Rehabilitation Development Grant. He noted that his constituency received only Shs500 million for road maintenance, while the government had allocated Shs1 billion to each district, 10 cities, and 31 municipalities under the grant.
Responding to this, the State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, confirmed that there was a commitment to release Shs250 million per quarter and expressed intentions to release the balance of Shs500 million in the fourth quarter of the Financial Year 2023/2024.
The Deputy Speaker commended Hon. Alex Ruhunda, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Road Safety, for the proposals aimed at curbing road carnage and urged legislators to support the forum’s efforts.
