At least 26 people have died and 71 others have sustained serious injuries in road traffic accidents in Adjumani District over the past eight months, according to police reports.
The accidents have been largely attributed to reckless driving, speeding, drunk driving, and a general disregard for road signs.
Adjumani Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Emmanuel Okware, expressed deep concern over the rising number of accidents, calling the trend unacceptable.
He emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue to prevent further loss of life.
"The increasing number of road accidents is a serious concern. We must act now to prevent further loss of lives," Okware said.
Between January and August 2024, Police recorded 97 road accidents in the district, with many more likely going unreported.
The release of this data comes amidst grief in the district following the death of John Awuku, a laboratory technician attached to Mungula Health Centre IV in Itirikwa sub-county.
Awuku, who worked with Medical Teams International, tragically died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend. He sustained severe injuries while riding home on Sunday night to Karoko village in Adjumani Town Council.
Superintendent of Police Ignatius Dragudu, the Public Relations Officer for the North West Nile region, underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the issue.
This, he said, would involve improvements in infrastructure, law enforcement, public education, and policy reforms aimed at curbing road accidents in the area.
"We will ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws, which is essential to curb reckless driving, speeding, and drunk driving," Dragudu stated.
Local authorities are now calling for heightened road safety measures to address the alarming accident rate in Adjumani District.