Over a quarter of Ugandan population has been victim to accidents  - Report

A new report has indicated that 30%, which is more than a quarter of the population has been victim to road accidents in Uganda.

This was in a report   titled Health Check; Ugandans’ experiences and opinions on health services released by Twaweza from data collected from 1913 respondents across the country.

“Three out of 10 Ugandans have experienced an accident or injury in the past six months, either personally or through a friend or household member,” the report indicates.

According to the report, 4% of the population said they had personally been involved in road accidents whereas 28% said the accidents involved their close friends or relatives.

The report also indicated that more than half (53%) of these had been victims of accidents brought about or involving accidents.

Speaking about the report, the Deputy Police spokesperson, Polly Namaye said it is incumbent on the population to ensure they reduce accidents.

“Everyone has a role to play and not only police. As motorists and pedestrians, we have a bigger role to play to reduce these accidents,”Namaye said.

She however noted that the police and the entire government will not tire down on sensitization of the public on how to use the road and reduce accidents.

The annual police traffic report released last month indicated that 14416 people were involved in various accidents and 3689 of these died in 2018.

The report also pointed out that out of every 100 crashes, 29 people died.

It was indicated that of the 3689 who died in 2018, 878 of them were boda boda riders, 202 vehicle drivers, 160 riders of bicycles, 380 passengers on boda bodas and 563 passengers travelling in other vehicles.

Pedestrians at 39% followed by passengers and cyclists at 28% were the most affected road users in the 2018 traffic report.

The report also indicated that more males at 79% (2,920) were killed in traffic crashes compared to 21% females (769) who were killed under the same period.

Most accidents according to the report occurred between 6pm and mid night and this, the police Director in charge of Traffic, AIGP Stephen Kasiima attributed to the increased traffic on the roads between that time.

“Between 6pm and midnight, many people are rushing home and end up causing accidents,”Kasiima said.

He also noted that because at that time it is dark and most vehicles are in a dangerous mechanical condition, accidents are many.