Rising road accidents along the Kampala–Gulu highway at Ndibulungi village in Luweero District have prompted residents to stage protests, citing several recent deaths, including those of children.
Locals say the area has seen an alarming number of fatal crashes, which they attribute to speeding vehicles and inadequate road safety infrastructure along the busy highway.
Village chairperson John Wasswa described the situation as unbearable for the community.
“In just one week alone, we have lost five people in accidents at this same spot. It is very painful because some of them are children who were simply crossing the road,” Wasswa said.
He added that many of these accidents could be prevented if authorities installed appropriate safety measures.
“Drivers pass here at a very high speed yet this is a trading centre with many people crossing the road. If speed humps were installed, it would help reduce these accidents,” Wasswa explained.
Residents are appealing to the government and the Ministry of Works and Transport to urgently install speed humps along the highway and improve street lighting. They said the lack of lighting makes night-time travel particularly dangerous.
“We have more than six factories here with electricity, but the community remains in darkness. This has also contributed to accidents because drivers cannot clearly see pedestrians at night,” one resident said.
Frustration over the ongoing safety risks escalated into protests, with locals blocking the highway by placing stones across the road.
The demonstration caused heavy traffic congestion as vehicles traveling between Kampala and Gulu were temporarily brought to a standstill, while residents demanded immediate intervention from authorities.
