Traffic Police in Kiira Region have stepped up operations against reckless driving, focusing on motorists operating under the influence of alcohol and those without valid driving permits, in a crackdown aimed at improving road safety around the Jinja Bridge area.
The early morning operation was mounted at the New Nile Bridge, where officers set up a checkpoint and stopped vehicles for routine inspections.
Motorists were subjected to alcohol breath tests using breathalyzer devices, with several drivers found to have exceeded the legal limit.
A number of offenders, including drivers deemed unfit to be on the road, were arrested and taken to Jinja Central Police Station for further management.
Kiira Region Traffic Officer SP Mable Asingwire led the enforcement exercise and issued a stern warning to motorists who drink and drive, saying such behaviour continues to be a major contributor to road carnage.
She cautioned that driving under the influence not only endangers the lives of the offenders but also puts passengers and other road users at serious risk.
According to Asingwire, traffic data from the previous year indicates that most accidents occur between Thursday and Monday morning, a pattern authorities link to increased alcohol consumption over weekends.
“We have observed that many drivers engage in excessive drinking, especially over the weekend, and then proceed to drive. This has significantly contributed to the number of accidents recorded,” she said.
Police said the crackdown is part of a wider strategy to sustain enforcement across identified black spots and high-risk corridors in the region.
Officers have vowed to maintain regular operations to ensure compliance with traffic laws and reduce preventable accidents.
The operation comes amid growing concern over road safety in Uganda’s urban transport routes, where reckless driving, speeding, and drink-driving remain persistent challenges for law enforcement agencies.
Some taxi drivers in Jinja welcomed the intensified crackdown, saying it would help instill discipline among motorists and improve passenger safety.
They also expressed concern that a small number of drivers continue to operate vehicles while intoxicated, endangering lives on the road.
Authorities have urged all motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations, ensure they hold valid driving permits, and avoid driving under the influence as enforcement operations continue across the region.
