Residents of Masaka have appealed to the Ministry of Works and Transport to revise road signage and improve implementation strategies under the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS), citing language barriers and enforcement challenges.
The concerns were raised during a stakeholder engagement meeting organized by the Ministry as part of ongoing consultations to refine the Express Penalty System, which is set to be reintroduced on Ugandan roads.
The EPS was suspended in June last year following widespread public outcry, with many Ugandans arguing that the system was punitive and lacked clarity in its implementation.
Leading the drivers, Masaka Taxi Drivers’ Chairperson, Abdu Bunkenke, urged the Ministry to translate road signs into local languages, particularly Luganda, which is widely spoken in the region.
He noted that many drivers struggle to interpret road signs written in English, increasing the likelihood of traffic offenses.
“Most drivers here understand Luganda better. Using only English on road signs disadvantages many road users,” Bunkenke emphasized.
The drivers also called for the installation of speed humps and zebra crossings in busy urban areas to enhance pedestrian safety, instead of relying heavily on penalties. They further criticized some traffic officers for allegedly prioritizing revenue collection over proper guidance of motorists.
Traffic officers who attended the meeting proposed stricter measures against reckless drivers, including revoking driving permits for repeat offenders rather than merely issuing penalty tickets. They argued that fines alone are ineffective, especially when, in some cases, vehicle owners—not the offending drivers—end up paying the penalties.
Some participants suggested constructing road signs using permanent materials such as cement to prevent theft and vandalism. They also recommended expanding narrow sections of roads, particularly in accident-prone areas like sharp corners.
Cuthbert Singoma from the Centre for Policy Analysis stressed that the Express Penalty System remains necessary despite public resistance.
He noted that Uganda loses an average of 14 people daily to road accidents, underscoring the urgency of strengthening road safety measures.
Singoma added that relying solely on traffic police is insufficient and advocated for increased use of technology to monitor and enforce traffic regulations.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, spokesperson Susan Kataike said the ongoing consultations are intended to gather public views and improve the system before its reintroduction.
She assured stakeholders that the revised scheme would address previous concerns to ensure fairness and effectiveness.
“We are engaging all stakeholders to ensure that when the system returns, it is well understood and accepted by the public,” Kataike said.
The Ministry is expected to incorporate feedback collected from various regions before reinstating the Express Penalty Scheme, in a move aimed at reducing road accidents and improving compliance with traffic regulations.
