According to a statement issued by information minister Frank Tumwebaze, the Cabinet meeting which was chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, approved the proposal purposely to address road carnage in Uganda.
Mr Tumwebaze said government will introduce graduated driving license that will mandate the drivers of commercial vehicles to undergo refresher courses and training.
“Also establishment of Automated Driver Test Centers intended to minimize human bias and to allow learner drivers to undergo rigorous testing to confirm their competences to drive before issuance of driving permits,” Mr Tumwebaze explained.
There is also a plan to step up road safety sensitization, awareness and strengthening of the coordination role of road safety activities by the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The proposal to introduce digital speed limiters followed a nasty accident which happened last Friday, involving a Gaaga Bus registration number UAK 562 from Lira to Kampala which collided with a tractor, leaving 22 passengers dead.
The accident happened at Nanda village, in Nyamasha parish, Mutunda sub-county, Kiryandongo district.
Taxi drivers protest but some drivers of commercial vehicles said the introduction of digital speed limiters should not only target commercial vehicles.
“This won’t help to reduce accidents. Accidents are caused by both commercial and non- commercial vehicles. I ask Government not to target us, otherwise the policy will face resistance from the commercial drivers,” explained Rashid Ssekindi, the vice chairperson Kampala Operational Taxi Stage Association.
Government in 2004 introduced speed governors and seat belts or passengers which were mandatory for commercial and non commercial vehicles. But the policy didn’t last for long.
