Police have raised concern over the alarming number of road fatalities caused by boda bodas.
The weekly traffic report indicates 41 people including 35 motorcyclists and six passengers died in crashes registered between October 27, and November 2, 2024.
The police traffic spokesperson, Michael Kananura said the motorcycles account for nearly half of all fatalities.
“Motorcycles remain a high-risk mode of transportation,” he noted.
He further added that 32 pedestrians lost lives in the same week.
He attributed the fatalities to speeding, and reckless overtaking by motorists.
On the issue of boda boda accidents, Kananura said they observed that overloading of boda boda riders remains a significant factor contributing to the fatalities countrywide.
He stressed that the disregard of traffic laws and regulations has made boda bodas a predominantly dangerous mode of transport.
Among the notable fatalities, on November 1, 2024, a tragic road accident in Mayanja Valley, Kawanda, along Bombo road resulted in the deaths of three motorcycle passengers including a three week old baby girl and her mother, their caregiver and the rider.
The incident involved a Sino Truck trailer registration number UBR 197D/UBQ 402Q.
The accident occurred when the trailer, traveling from Kampala to Bombo, blushed the motorcycle while trying to overtake. In the process, the boda boda rider lost control, and threw the three passengers under the rear tyres of the trailer, resulting in their immediate deaths, while the rider who fell by the roadside succumbed to injuries.
Another related incident occurred in Luuka district, in Namulanda village, where a speeding Tata lorry blushed a motorcycle carrying four individuals, which led to the immediate death of one person and left three others with injuries.
Kananura attributed all incidents to reckless overtaking by motorists.
“But we also don’t underestimate the overloaded motorcycle which compromised the control of the rider,” he added.
Kananura emphasized that these incidents highlight the critical need for safe overtaking practices, awareness of nearby vehicles, and compliance with motorcycle passenger regulations.
He said that carrying more than one passenger is highly unacceptable as it poses significant dangers, jeopardizing the safety of all individuals involved.
“If you are a passenger out there, before you consider sitting on a motorcycle that already has a passenger, please consider your life. It is also important to wear protective gears including helmets, reflect jackets and others while onto a motorcycle,” he added.
He urged all motorists to consistently adhere to traffic laws and regulations.
He said all motorists must always exercise caution while overtaking to prevent similar incidents in future.
