By sentamu Moses
In the dusty aftermath of a devastating crash in Kiryandongo district, where over 40 lives were tragically cut short, a powerful voice has emerged from the shadows of loss.
The Amputee Self-Help Network Uganda (ASNU), a grassroots organization of accident survivors, is not just mourning—they’re mobilizing. In a heartfelt appeal to authorities, ASNU is calling for urgent reforms to stem the tide of road carnage that has turned Uganda’s highways into highways of heartbreak.
The Kiryandongo incident, a grim reminder of the nation’s road safety crisis, has galvanized ASNU into action. “We’ve seen too many families shattered,” says Sarah Nakato, an ASNU member who lost her leg in a boda boda accident five years ago. “It’s time for the government to act decisively.”
The group is pushing for the reinstatement of the Express Penalty System (EPS), a once-effective tool for on-the-spot fines that deterred reckless driving before it was scrapped amid controversies over corruption.
But ASNU’s demands go beyond penalties. They advocate for the establishment of dedicated emergency rescue points along major routes—strategic hubs equipped with ambulances, medical personnel, and rapid-response teams to slash the golden hour of survival in crashes. “Minutes matter when blood is spilling on the tarmac,” Nakato emphasizes. Additionally, the network urges investment in technology-driven enforcement: speed cameras, AI-monitored traffic systems, and digital tracking for commercial vehicles to catch violators in real-time.
Uganda’s road fatality statistics paint a sobering picture. On average, 14 people die daily in traffic accidents, according to police reports—a number that has steadily climbed amid rapid urbanization and a booming motorcycle taxi (boda boda) industry.
ASNU highlights the boda boda crisis as a ticking time bomb: with over 1.2 million incidents annually, these two-wheeled workhorses, vital for livelihoods in rural and urban areas alike, are also perpetrators of chaos due to lax regulation, overloading, and untrained riders.
For survivors like those in ASNU, the scars run deeper than physical ones. Many amputees face a lifetime of challenges, from mobility limitations to social stigma. The group is appealing for subsidized prosthetics to make advanced limbs accessible, rather than a luxury for the few.
“A good prosthetic can cost more than a year’s salary,” explains ASNU coordinator John Mugisha, himself a double amputee from a truck collision. “Without support, we’re sidelined from the workforce.” They also call for fair employment opportunities, pushing employers and policymakers to enforce anti-discrimination laws and create inclusive job quotas for people living with disabilities.
Restoring the EPS and enforcing road discipline isn’t just about rules—it’s about reclaiming lives. ASNU argues that these measures could prevent countless accidents, easing the immense economic burden on families who lose breadwinners and the emotional devastation that ripples through communities. Hospital bills, funerals, and long-term care drain resources, while orphaned children and widowed spouses grapple with irreversible loss.
As Uganda hurtles toward greater mobility with expanding infrastructure, ASNU’s cry echoes a universal truth: prevention is the ultimate cure. By heeding these survivors’ pleas, authorities have a chance to turn tragedy into triumph—building roads that connect, not destroy. In the words of Nakato, “We’ve lost limbs, but not hope. Let’s make our roads safe for everyone.” The question now is: Will Uganda listen?
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