By Ben Musanje
As the festive season approaches, Western Uganda is bracing for a crackdown on reckless driving. In a high-profile event at Oxford Hotel Mbarara, the Ministry of Works and Transport, in partnership with the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), launched a major road safety campaign aimed at slashing the surge of accidents that has historically plagued holiday traffic.
During the event, reflective jackets were distributed to pedestrians and boda boda cyclists, and six zebra crossings were freshly painted across Mbarara City to promote safer pedestrian movement.
The Ministry and ITMS also emphasized mandatory vehicle inspections and briefed the public on imminent updates to the Express Penalty System (EPS), the government’s flagship tool for enforcing traffic laws.
“Over speeding and careless driving remain the leading causes of accidents in Uganda,” said Owen Muhumuza, External Training Manager at ITMS. “The smart enforcement system we’ve introduced is not just a deterrent—it’s a lifeline that can save lives.”
James Katunguka, Senior Safety Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, praised the EPS rollout since June, noting the system’s impact on curbing dangerous driving behaviors. Katunguka revealed that a special committee is fast-tracking the final revisions, which are awaiting approval from the cabinet under the guidance of the Ministry of Works and Transport Minister.
The upcoming changes include reviewed speed limits, a simplified EPS fine structure with a single 10-point penalty for speeding, and an extended grace period for paying EPS ticketsfrom 72 hours to 28 days to make the system fairer and more effective.
The event was also attended by Priscah Muganzi Mulongo Deputy City Mayor of Mbarara, who thanked the Ministry and ITMS for the initiative and urged all road users to take personal responsibility. “Every life on the road matters,” the Deputy Mayor said. “We must act responsibly to ensure our festive celebrations are safe.”
With the holidays fast approaching, authorities are sending a clear message to Western Uganda: reckless behavior on the roads will no longer be tolerated. Drivers, riders, and pedestrians are being watched, and the government’s smart enforcement system is ready to act decisively to protect lives. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
