Joint Police-Military Traffic Operation Arrests 745, “not Looking for Bobi Wine”

At least 745 motorists have been arrested in renewed Traffic Police operations across the country.

Traffic crackdowns eased in Uganda during the election period, with fewer boda-boda riders arrested and vehicles impounded. During the Christmas season, traffic police focused on sensitization campaigns on major roads, inspecting vehicle conditions and educating passengers about their rights, rather than enforcing arrests or impoundments. 

However, traffic police operations against errant motorists resumed last week, targeting vehicles in dangerous mechanical conditions, resulting in 330 arrests. Another 99 were arrested for riding without helmets.

a whopping 77 others were arrested for driving without valid licenses, 67 for violating traffic directions, 56 for illegal vehicle modification, and 47 for dangerous loading.   The Traffic Police Spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura, said 745 traffic offenders were arrested in a week to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

“Operations have been intensified across the country to ensure safety, order and sanity on our roads; we urge all motorists to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to avoid falling victim to these operations and other related inconveniences,” Kananura noted. 

Meanwhile UPDF Spokesperson Col Chris Magezi has also said the military is working with the traffic police in these operations to enforce traffic compliance on roads. On Monday checkpoints were set up along Gayaza road, Entebbe road, Mityana road, and Bugolobi areas since Monday. 

Magezi dismissed allegations that the checkpoints target NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi (Bob Wine), saying they’re for enforcing traffic rules.”This is to dismiss insinuations that checkpoints by Military and Police target NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, no one is looking for him; the aim is to restore discipline and enforce traffic regulations,” Magezi stated.

According to Traffic Police records for 2024, Ugandan roads registered 25,107 crashes a 6.4 per cent increase from the previous year resulting in 25,808 casualties. Of these crashes, 4,434 were fatal, translating to an average of 14 deaths per day. The leading causes were careless overtaking, speeding, poor mechanical condition of vehicles, and substandard road conditions.