KAMPALA – Major roads leading into and out of Kampala city experienced heavy traffic jam as tens of thousands of private cars returned to work following two months of lockdown over coronavirus.
At Queen’s Clock Tower on Entebbe Road, motorists had to wait for close to 15 minutes to be waved to go by traffic police officers. At Mulago, Makerere Hill Road, Ntinda, Bukoto, Ndeeba, Nateete and other areas, the situation was not any different, with thousands of motorists stuck in traffic jam for close to 30 minutes.
A motorist at Mulago roundabout, who refused to be identified, wondered how he will be able to beat the 7pm curfew if such traffic jam is replicated in the evening.
Last week, while announcing the easing of lockdown measures, President Museveni said private cars were free to return to the road on May 26 and taxis, buses and other public means of transport on June 4.
The private cars are not supposed to carry more than 3 people, who are all supposed to be putting on facemasks.
The traffic jam on the road drew mixed reactions from many Ugandans on social media.
Murungi Ivan Tumusiime Akiiki posted: “90%of those are going nowhere except for warming their engines.”
Phionah Xander Cottons posted: “With such traffic, I wonder how it will look like towards curfew time.”
Lydia Dee Liddie: “Where are they going now? You mean all these work in hardware shops, Garages& Furniture centres, May be some are out for fresh air and then return home.”
Paul Okello said: “The traffic jam is caused by those security barricades that limit movement to only one lane at a time. They should be removed ASAP. Our city is already congested and narrow. You can’t allow private cars to move and block roads in this bogus city….”
Nak Mic posted: “The city is being eased up but unless we adhere to the guildlines put in place, all our efforts will be a wastage. One lesson learned from the pandemic response is that people must change certain “social behaviors” that have done much damage. We need to adapt to new trends in life. We will live with them as long as covid19 is still around.”
