By Aggrey Baba
The Ministry of Works and Transport is on the spot again, this time over what has been described as prolonged neglect of safety standards at road construction sites, an omission that continues to claim innocent lives.
The most recent tragedy is the death of prominent businessman, and son of city tycoon, Rajiv Ruparelia, who died on May 3, after his Nissan GTR overturned at the Busabala Flyover in Wakiso District.
The section of the road where the deadly crash occurred is still under construction and reportedly part of a long-stalled project.
Frank Mugabi, the Head of Communication at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), has come out strongly, demanding that the Ministry of Works steps up and does its job.
“The Ministry must be reminded that a road doesn’t just mean tarmac. It must also mean safety, dignity, and protection of lives. We are losing people because someone is sleeping on the job,” Mugabi said.
He cited several road construction sites across the country that have no visible warning signs, no clear pedestrian crossings, and no measures to control dust or restrict access to dangerous areas.
“We were in Kyankwanzi in March for a contractor literacy campaign. You’d think with all the regulations in place, they would know better. But no. They had to be begged to sprinkle water to reduce dust. Meanwhile, children were crossing that road with no speed bumps, no zebra crossings, nothing,” he added.
His comments come against the backdrop of worrying statistics, where the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2024, indicates the country registered 25,107 road crashes, resulting in 5,144 deaths,a 7% increase from 2023.
Motorcyclists accounted for 1,720 of the fatalities, pedestrians 1,269, and passengers 1,054. The report also highlighted that the majority of crashes occurred between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, especially on roads under construction.
“These are not just numbers, but mothers, fathers, children, and now Rajiv,” Mugabi lamented, adding that what’s painful is that most of these deaths are avoidable.”
He accused contractors of neglecting their obligations under environmental and social safeguards, which are supposed to be enforced by the Ministry.
“The law already requires clear signage, dust control, safety markings, and community protection. These aren’t favors. They are obligations. Why are we allowing contractors to cut corners?”
He went on to describe scenes where schoolgirls are harassed by road workers, where babies and their mothers cough through clouds of construction dust, and where children must dash across roads with no humps or signage, just prayer.
“Who are we building these roads for if the same people are dying while they’re being built?, Mugabi asked, before adding that “every time someone dies on a road under construction, someone in the Ministry must take responsibility.”
As one African proverb says, “When the music changes, so must the dance.” And with lives at stake, the Ministry of Works must now change its tune.
After all, “the child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.” Over to you, Ministry of Works. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
