By Aaron Ainomugisha. As Easter approaches, police and other authorities are warning road users to value life and exercise heightened caution, particularly when choosing modes of transport, with open trucks singled out as especially dangerous.
Police are urging all road users to comply with traffic rules, avoid unsafe vehicles, and play an active role in promoting road safety, particularly during high-traffic festive periods.
Michael Kananura, the Public Relations Officer Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, stressed that open trucks are not designed for passenger transport and pose severe risks in the event of a crash.
“As the Easter season approaches, a period often marked by increased travel and heightened market activity, all road users are urged to be mindful of how they travel and the means of transport they choose. Members of the public are strongly cautioned against boarding open trucks, as these vehicles are not designed for passenger transport and they expose occupants to danger in the event of a crash,” Kananura said.
He also called on community leaders, market authorities, and local representatives to help guide vendors and traders toward safe and authorized transport methods.
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“This collective responsibility is critical, especially recognizing that enforcement agencies cannot be present everywhere at all times. Most of these trucks travel at night and use routes where the truck is not deployed, but then they are mounted by representatives in the communities. Leaders and local authorities, please help us to really guide people on what to do. Let us protect road safety and make responsible travel decisions to prevent avoidable injuries and loss of life,” Kananura added.
The warning comes as the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2024, highlights a seasonal pattern in traffic accidents. According to the report, December, a peak festive month recorded the highest number of crashes (2,445) in the year, reflecting the link between increased travel during holidays and higher road accident rates. Authorities say similar risks exist during the Easter season, underscoring the need for vigilance and responsible travel choices.
Kananura reminded the public that road safety is a shared responsibility. “All road users are thus urged not only to comply with traffic rules and regulations, but also to actively play their part in promoting road safety. Road safety is a shared responsibility and each one of us has a role to play in preventing crashes and saving lives on our roads. Let us all continue to act responsibly while on the road and remain vigilant, looking out for one another at all times,” he said.
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