Road safety activist Joseph Beyanga, popularly known as Joe Walker, has called for urgent reforms in Uganda’s road transport system, following the death of Rajiv Ruparelia, so to businessman, Sudhir Ruparelia .
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Walker addressed his concerns directly to the Minister of Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala. He urged the minister to urgently implement a road transport system that prioritizes the safety of its users.
“Dear Gen Wamala, we urgently need a road transport system that focuses on the safety of the users. We are tired of losing lives in incidents that could have been avoided or prevented,” Walker wrote.
His appeal came shortly after news broke about the fatal crash that claimed Rajiv’s life in the early hours of Saturday at the Busabala Flyover.
“This Saturday we woke up to terrible news of Rajiv Ruparelia being killed in a fatal road crash at Busabala Flyover,” Walker stated, expressing his sadness and frustration.
He lamented the recurring nature of such tragedies and emphasized that many of the accidents are avoidable.
“It is sad that we continue to lose people to avoidable deaths,” he added.
While investigations into the exact cause of the crash are still underway, Walker cited preliminary reports and eyewitness accounts, noting that the incident raises critical questions about road safety in the country.
He pointed out that urgent attention is needed in areas such as the enforcement of speed limits, implementation of safety measures during road construction, improvement of road design and signage, enhancement of driver education, and strengthening of emergency response services.
Walker’s remarks add to the growing public outcry over road safety in Uganda, where traffic accidents continue to claim numerous lives every year.
Rajiv will be cremated on Tuesday May 6, at the Hindu Crematorium in Lugogo at 2:30 p.m
