Iganga: Traffic along the Iganga-Kaliro road on Monday, September 23, 2024, was significantly disrupted after locals blocked part of the busy route near the Railway Flyover, commonly known as ‘Kukiyitirirwa’.
Furious residents obstructed the road for nearly three hours, from 7 am to 10 am, protesting two deadly accidents that claimed five lives within 24 hours at the same spot, just a few meters from Iganga town.
Heavily armed police from Iganga Central Police Station (CPS) were forced to fire teargas and live bullets into the air to disperse the angry crowd, which had blocked all traffic.
Motorcycles and cars were unable to pass through, as demonstrators used large stones and tree branches to block the road. Motorists were forced to use alternative routes, including feeder roads, to access Iganga town and Kaliro.
The locals blamed authorities for failing to regulate the sugar cane trucks and dealers who load and offload along the road. They argue that the carelessness of these operators is responsible for the increasing number of accidents, as trucks often spill sugar cane debris on the road.
The first accident occurred on Sunday, September 22, 2024, when a speeding tipper truck, registration number UAX 363, veered off the road and collided with two motorcycles. The motorcyclists, whose identities were not immediately confirmed, died on the spot in the evening crash.
The second accident took place on Monday morning, when a boda boda rider was fatally hit by an unidentified car at the same location, just outside Iganga town.
Eyewitnesses reported that the victim had been clearing sugar cane debris from the road when he was struck by the vehicle, losing his life while performing this voluntary act.
Hamidu Kawanguzi, the chairperson of Nakalama sub-county in Iganga district, expressed support for the locals’ protest, stating that the authorities had repeatedly ignored their requests for speed bumps at the accident-prone spot.
“People are demonstrating for the same reason we have been raising with the authorities, but nothing has been done,” said Kawanguzi.
He emphasized, “People are demanding speed bumps, and we urge the government to respond to their cries. It’s unacceptable to lose five lives in such a short time due to preventable accidents.”
Iganga District Police Commander (DPC), SSP Patrick Byaruhanga, stated that the police were compelled to use reasonable force to restore order. He explained that before resorting to firing, they had attempted to peacefully negotiate with the demonstrators, but the protesters showed significant resistance.
The DPC attributed the frequent accidents to speeding and reckless driving, urging both drivers and locals to be more cautious when using the road.
