By Ben Musanje
Police have warned motorists against drunk driving after arresting 216 suspects in two weekend operations, as traffic authorities revealed that most complaints about Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) tickets are found to be genuine upon verification.
Michael Kananura, the Traffic Police spokesperson, said 92 drivers arrested during the latest operation targeting drunk driving were expected to appear before various courts on Monday, October 26, 2026, to answer charges related to the offence.
The arrests followed a similar operation the previous weekend in which 124 suspects were apprehended, bringing the total number of suspects arrested in the two operations to 216.
Speaking during a press conference at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Kananura said the operations were part of intensified efforts to curb road crashes, particularly during weekends when many fatal accidents are reported.
“The repeated number of suspects apprehended underscores the need for sustained enforcement against drunk driving,” Kananura said, urging motorists to avoid driving after consuming alcohol.
He advised those intending to drink to arrange for a sober driver or use alternative means of transport to get home safely.
The Traffic police spokesperson said the operations were informed by road crash statistics released in 2025, which showed that many fatal crashes occurred over weekends.
“We are now coming to prove that it could be because of drunk driving,” he said, referring to the enforcement operations targeting motorists suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police explain why motorists receive disputed EPS tickets
In a related development, police have urged motorists who receive unfamiliar Express Penalty Scheme tickets to seek verification, explaining that although some fines result from data-entry errors, many complaints arise from legitimate traffic violations linked to vehicles.
Kananura acknowledged that errors sometimes occur when officers enter vehicle registration numbers into the system, potentially causing a fine intended for one vehicle to be assigned to another.
He said motorists who believe they have been wrongly penalised should report the matter to the traffic police headquarters in Natete, Kampala, for investigation and correction.
“If you come back and complain to us, we investigate it further and then we are able to transfer that fine to the rightful violator,” Kananura said.
He added that motorists living far from Kampala could call 0772 694901 or 0789 712210 during working hours to have their complaints investigated.
However, Kananura warned that not every unfamiliar ticket is erroneous, explaining that some motorists inherit outstanding fines when they purchase second-hand vehicles.
In such cases, he said, the penalties remain valid and must be paid, even if the new owner was unaware of the violations committed before acquiring the vehicle.
He also cited situations in which vehicle owners lend their cars to mechanics for repairs or road testing, only for the vehicles to incur traffic fines without the owners being informed.
“These are not wrong tickets. That one you will pay,” he said, urging vehicle owners to check their vehicles’ penalty records and follow up with people entrusted with their cars.
Another category involves fines that did not immediately appear in the system during the transition from old number plates to digital number plates.
Kananura explained that some outstanding penalties took several weeks to migrate from the old registration records to the new digital system. Consequently, buyers could acquire vehicles whose previous fines only appeared later.
He said such fines were also legitimate and remained payable.
The police clarification means motorists should distinguish between genuine data-entry errors, which can be corrected following verification, and valid penalties arising from previous violations or activities involving their vehicles.
Motorcycle crashes account for nearly half of road deaths
The warning came as police reported worrying road safety figures, with motorcycle-related crashes accounting for 46 per cent of total fatalities during the reporting period, while pedestrians accounted for another 30 per cent.
Kananura said the combined figures meant vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists and pedestrians, accounted for 76 per cent of the recorded deaths.
He highlighted several fatal crashes reported between October 22 and October 25, involving motorcycles, speeding vehicles, dangerous overtaking and pedestrians.
On October 22, a fatal crash occurred at Kitaranga along Ggaba Road, near Galaxy FM, when a motorcycle carrying two adult female passengers reportedly travelled against the authorised direction of traffic before attempting to rejoin the correct side.
The motorcycle collided with an oncoming vehicle, causing the rider to lose control. One passenger was run over by the vehicle’s rear tyres and died instantly, while the other sustained injuries.
In Kakumiro District on October 23, three people reportedly died in a crash involving a motorcycle carrying a woman and a child.
Another fatal crash occurred at Matete Market in Sembabule District on October 24, when a vehicle reportedly overtaking other vehicles collided with a motorcycle. The rider and a woman died at the scene, while a child succumbed to injuries while being taken to hospital.
A separate incident at Matete Market claimed two lives after a motorcyclist knocked down a pedestrian. The pedestrian died at the scene, while the rider later died while being rushed to hospital.
On October 25, two people died in a crash at Kiwologoma in Buikwe District after a speeding vehicle struck a motorcycle from behind as the rider attempted to turn right off the highway.
One passenger died instantly, while the other later succumbed to injuries in hospital.
Police warn against speeding and dangerous riding
Kananura attributed the crashes to dangerous road behaviour, including speeding, careless overtaking, riding against the flow of traffic, carrying excessive passengers and failure to wear protective helmets.
He warned that speeding reduces motorists’ ability to react to unexpected situations and increases the severity of collisions.
He also cautioned drivers against overtaking at bends or at high speeds without confirming that the road ahead is clear.
Motorcyclists, he said, must stop riding against traffic, making sudden turns and carrying more passengers than permitted.
Kananura stressed that helmets are essential for both riders and passengers, noting that proper head protection can reduce the risk of fatal injuries.
“It is not enough for the rider alone to wear a crash helmet while the passengers travel on these motorcycles,” he said.
He urged all motorists to observe speed limits and exercise extra caution near junctions, markets and areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
More enforcement operations planned
Police said several other enforcement initiatives would continue as the country approaches the festive season, a period authorities consider critical for road safety.
These include Operation Tekereza Sheria, targeting traffic violations such as the illegal use of sirens and flashing lights, as well as concealed or missing number plates.
Operation Ganyegenya targets dangerous and unroadworthy public service vehicles, while Operation Barabara Sarama focuses on broader traffic compliance.
Police are also conducting operations along the Northern Bypass to address illegal passenger pick-up and drop-off stages that disrupt traffic flow and create safety risks.
Kananura said enforcement would remain continuous and warned motorists against obeying traffic rules only when police officers are present.
“Saving lives is our priority, but road safety begins with individual responsibility,” he said.
He urged motorists to take responsibility for their conduct, warning that careless decisions on the road can cost lives.
With hundreds of suspected drunk drivers facing court proceedings and motorcycle crashes continuing to claim lives, police say stricter enforcement and individual discipline remain essential to reducing preventable road deaths. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
