Anita Among-led crisis meeting resolves to strengthen road safety laws

The meeting, which was chaired by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, resolved that there have to be strong regulations on the towing and auctioning of abandoned or broken-down automobiles on carriageways.

"Whereas the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, has attendant regulations that have aided its operationalisation, the Roads Act, 2019, which addresses various aspects of road safety, does not have regulations," a statement issued by Anita Among on her official Twitter handle read.

It further read: "There is a need for regulations to operationalize Sections 57, 58, and 59 on the towing and auctioning of abandoned or brokendown automobiles on carriageways. UNRA has immediately offered to tow at least eight abandoned vehicles. The Minister of Works and Transport must expedite the development of regulations to operationalise the Roads Act, 2019. "

The meeting also resolved that the Minister of Works should table regulations operationalising the Roads Act, 2019 within one month (by August 13, 2023).

The regulations, according to the statement, should ensure the streamlining of the motor vehicle registration function under the Ministry of Works and Transport, which requires an additional sh40 billion.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance and the Uganda Communications Commission were directed to ensure the dissemination of pop-up messages on road safety to all mobile phone subscribers.

Other resolutions included:

Replacing missing road furniture, such as road signs, reflectors, fences, etc., and exploring the use of appropriate alternative materials to minimise vandalism and theft Conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding between the public agencies responsible for transport and road safety and the private sector on the towing of abandoned vehicles

Sensitisation and enforcement of Motor Third Party Insurance: Whereas Motor third party insurance, introduced by the Motor Vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act in 1989, provides for compulsory insurance against third party bodily risks in respect of the use of vehicles, oftentimes victims of accidents are not indemnified.

There is a need for more sensitisation on Motor third-party insurance. Increased public education and awareness on road safety in order to shape road user behaviour. There is a need for constant and consistent sensitisation of the general public on road safety using all available mass media. The meeting was notified that out of the required budget of sh20 billion for road safety, only sh5 billion was released.

LONGTERM INTERVENTIONS

The long-term interventions included:

Automation of regulatory and monitoring processes to minimise human contact and reduce incidents of corruption and influence peddling

Enhancement of budgetary provisions for the relevant agencies in the road safety value chain.

General strengthening of road safety monitoring and enforcement of speed limits around blind and black spots, notably markets, schools, and other public facilities

Road designs should match the growing population of people and vehicles and the strategic development plans of the country.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should increase the development budget allocation to UNRA, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Uganda Police Force for road safety-related interventions.