Bushenyi Crash Kills Eight, Sparks Push for Automated Traffic Cameras

A tragic road crash on April 25, 2026, along the Mbarara-Ishaka highway in Bushenyi District left eight pedestrians dead after a speeding driver rammed into them, just one kilometer from Kabwohe Town. The stretch is notorious for its narrow lanes, potholes, and high speeds, locals say.

Taxi operator Emmanuel Byaruhanga, who plies the route, blamed weak penalties and lax enforcement for drivers ignoring rules, even after leaving bars intoxicated. Resident Joshua Bonde called the road a ‘narrow corridor riddled with potholes and dominated by overspeeding,’ noting temporary fixes like soil filling fail to address core issues.

Uganda’s road safety crisis worsens, with police reporting 26,044 crashes in 2025—up from 25,107 the previous year—including 4,602 fatal ones that killed over 5,300 people. Over 40% stem from reckless behaviors like speeding, dangerous overtaking, and tailgating.

During national consultations on the Express Penalty System (EPS), drivers from the Uganda Professional Drivers Network pushed for its revival. The camera-based system detects violations in real-time and issues fines automatically. It was trialed last year but paused due to complaints over high fines and rollout flaws.

Richard Ogwal of UPDN argued automation deters risky driving by ensuring high detection odds. Ministry’s Senior Licensing Officer Robert Kisakye pointed to just under 2,000 traffic officers nationwide, limited by human factors, and noted video evidence makes violations undeniable. It could also curb roadside bribery known as ‘Gambanogu.’

A revised EPS would target high-risk spots like schools and markets. Locals like James Asinguza decry inadequate responses to frequent accidents on the corridor, warning that without tech enforcement, such tragedies will persist.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)