Trucks parking on roadside blamed for accidents in Hoima

Leaders in Hoima have raised concern over the increasing number of trucks parked along the different roads that they say has seen a surge in accidents

. In a space of two weeks, 15 people are said to have lost lives.

The vehicles, allegedly diverted from Karuma area, and those transporting oil and gas equipment are causing traffic gridlocks thus hindering businesses.

Since the closure of Karuma Bridge to heavy trucks, many resorted to pass through Hoima, via Buliisa, through the park thus causing an increase in traffic on the road.

This is said to have worsened the situation, given that most roads were congested with trucks transporting oil and gas equipment to Buliisa and Kikuube.

Leaders in Hoima are concerned over the habit of truck drivers parking poorly by the roadside even in corners, which they say is leading to an increase in fatal accidents.

"There is an area  called Kyesiga in the city where  you can see how these trucks have done double parking. They even don't have reflectors and at night they are very many," Asinansi Nyakato, the Hoima City Woman MP said.

Uthuman Mugisha, the Hoima district chairman says, this is also very common in the district, that trucks come and park by the roadside.

"Remember the traffic congestion is too much, two vehicles do double parking, then you have cars coming from both side . Recently, we had an accident in Parajwoki where a man riding rammed into a truck with two children and his wife and they all died on the spot,"" Mugisha said

Nyakato says they have made appeals to police and ministry of works but they are slow in responding.

"I don't know how many times we have made noise to ministry of works, UNRA and police, but they seem not bothered. Traffic police needs to workout a plan with these truck drivers and the owners to find an emergency parking yard rather than being on the highways"

'These not only park on the highways, many are parking within the business centre blocking people's shops," Brian Kaboyo the city mayor added.

The Albertine police spokesperson Julius Hakiza says they are planning to have engagements with the truck owners and the Petroleum Authority of Uganda to find a parking yard or else they risk being impounded.

"We have been telling those truck drivers to stop parking by the roadside. We are going to meet truck owners, PAU and other stakeholders to direct them never to park by the sides but rather find parking. We know they have to rest but not on the roads. If  found,  we will impound those vehicles and the owners will have to pay heavy fines," Hakiza said.