Congolese motorists blamed for high road crashes in Uganda
He noted that reckless riding and driving are major contributors to the rising number of accidents in the area.
Zombo: In Zombo district, located in Uganda’s West Nile Sub-region, local boda boda associations are raising alarms over a growing number of road accidents attributed to Congolese motorists.
The community has expressed frustration over reckless driving and riding, which they claim are leading to severe injuries and fatalities among Ugandans.
One of the most recent incidents occurred last week when a teacher from Ukemu Primary School, Esau Opio, was fatally struck by a speeding Congolese motorist at Tengu trading center in Zombo Town Council. The driver, after hitting Opio, fled the scene and remains untraceable.
The boda boda leadership also highlighted another disturbing case involving Alfred Odaga, an employee of Uganda’s immigration department, who is still recovering from severe injuries after being hit by a speeding Congolese rider in the same district.
According to the Zombo District Boda Boda Association, many other similar accidents go unreported, further compounding the issue.
Fred Onerach, the chairperson of the District Boda Boda Association, voiced his concerns during a press conference held at Skylux Hotel in Paidha Town Council. He stated that many of these accidents are caused by the ignorance of Congolese drivers, who are often unaware of Uganda’s road safety regulations.
Onerach stressed the urgent need for a meeting between Ugandan and Congolese authorities to address this issue, especially as the festive season approaches, a time notorious for a surge in road accidents.
The association’s data reveals that, in just this month, one fatal accident, along with eight serious and nine minor accidents, have been recorded, most of which were caused by Congolese motorists.
The hotspots for over-speeding and reckless driving by these motorists include routes like Paidha-Padea road and Zombo-Atyak-Warr-Alangi-Aru.
One of the most troubling aspects, according to the boda boda leadership, is that many victims of these accidents, especially those involving hit-and-run drivers, are left to bear the financial burden of medical bills, as the perpetrators often remain unidentified.
In a recent meeting, Nelson Nahabwe, the District Police Commander of Zombo, called for greater respect for traffic rules by all road users.
He noted that reckless riding and driving are major contributors to the rising number of accidents in the area.
This increase in road crashes in Uganda highlights a serious and growing concern, with the 2023 police traffic report revealing that 4,806 people lost their lives in road accidents last year. On average, 13 Ugandans die daily due to traffic-related incidents.
With the call for stronger collaboration between Uganda and DR Congo, local leaders hope to curb the alarming trend of accidents, ensuring safer roads for all.
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