Police have arrested more than 3,600 drivers and riders across the country in a week-long traffic enforcement operation aimed at curbing reckless road behaviour and reducing crashes.
According to the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, a total of 3,691 motorists and riders were apprehended for various traffic offences, with speeding, reckless overtaking and failure to comply with traffic regulations cited among the leading causes of road crashes.
Traffic Police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura said the operations were conducted alongside intensified road safety campaigns following several fatal crashes registered across the country in the same period.
Motorcycles (bodabodas) remained the most affected category, accounting for 50% of all road crash fatalities recorded during the week, followed by pedestrians at 32%, while other categories accounted for 18 percent.
Of those arrested, 574 were found riding without crash helmets, 518 were operating motorcycles without riding licences, 513 were cited for careless driving and overtaking, while others were arrested for dangerous loading, illegal vehicle modifications, disobeying traffic directions and operating vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition.
Among the notable crashes recorded was one in Kyotera District that claimed seven lives after a commuter taxi was reportedly rammed by a speeding fuel tanker at Botera Trading Centre along the Kyotera–Masaka Highway.
Another fatal crash in Bukomansimbi District claimed the life of Rev. Fr. Bony Kalyesubula of Kitaasa Catholic Parish after a collision involving a Fuso truck that allegedly suffered mechanical failure.
“These operations will continue across the country to promote discipline and sanity on our roads. We urge all road users to comply with traffic laws and regulations—not only to avoid enforcement action but, more importantly, to safeguard their lives and those of others,” SP Kananura said.
Police said road safety sensitisation campaigns have also been intensified, particularly in Kampala Metropolitan South and Masaka East Region, which remain among the areas heavily affected by road crashes.
