28 August 2008
editorial
The police on Tuesday clashed with boda boda cyclists in Kampala as they again made efforts to enforce basic traffic regulations like possession of riders' or drivers' licenses, crash helmets, among others.
While it is important that civil means be used to enforce the law, it should not be encouraged that the cyclists or taxi drivers resort to unruly means in trying to prevent the police from doing its job.
Part of the reason our transport system is such a mess is not government's failure to construct proper roads, though that contributes significantly. It is the road users, passengers and drivers and, in this case, boda boda cyclists.
Many are simply undisciplined, unqualified and irresponsible. The passengers, on the other hand, are too impatient or do not care how they are carried around. All of us then turn to the police and blame it for not doing enough.
There must be discipline and responsibility on the part of those whose livelihood is in the transportation business. There must be concern on the part of those who use both private and public transport.
The road carnage on both city roads and upcountry highways is simply unacceptable. Boda bodas contribute the largest percentage - at least half of all cases - of injuries in the city.
We cannot look on as more people get maimed because like the rest of the economy the transport sector has been let to manage itself.
In areas where the citizens can do something to remedy the situation, it is only decent that we do our part so that we can challenge the government to also do its part.
However, it is important that as the police executes its role, it remains responsible and only uses forceful means as a last resort. At the Wandegeya traffic lights recently, a traffic police officer nearly threw down a woman who was a passenger on a boda boda as he attempted to arrest the rider. This is unprofessional and irresponsible.
The crackdown against passengers riding on boda bodas without crash helmets of their own is also unlikely to work; the boda boda riders must be the ones to buy the helmets and ensure they are worn.
The police should have a well worked out programme to deal with the different challenges and ensure that they follow through one item and see it properly dealt with, before embarking on another.
That way, they will not be misunderstood and can build public confidence and rally their support.
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