Kampala was gripped by a police crackdown on drunk driving over the weekend, with a staggering 67 suspects arrested and thrown behind bars in a dramatic bid to tame the city’s roads.
The “Kawumyemu” operation, launched in response to a growing trend of reckless driving under the influence of alcohol, saw police swoop down on three major police stations: Katwe, Jinja Road, and Wandegeya.
According to SP Michael Kananura, the Communication Liaison Officer and Public Relations Officer for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, the arrested individuals are currently undergoing processing, including statement recording, fingerprinting, and court preparation.
But the true extent of the problem is only now beginning to emerge. Alarming statistics reveal that Uganda loses an average of 14 lives daily to road crashes, with many incidents attributed to reckless driving and alcohol impairment.
Despite efforts by road safety activists to raise awareness about responsible driving, many motorists continue to ignore the dangers of reckless and drunk driving.
One notable road safety campaign, led by Joseph Beyanga, aka Joe Walker, recently completed a 340-kilometer walk from Kampala to Gulu to raise awareness about road safety.
But the fight against drunk driving remains an uphill battle. Kananura warned that drunk driving significantly contributes to road crashes, emphasizing the need for responsible driving.
“We urge all drivers to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol, a crucial step towards reducing road crashes and ensuring safer roads for everyone,” he added.
As the city struggles to combat the drunk driving epidemic, one thing is clear: the “Kawumyemu” operation is just the beginning.
