Gulu Reports Ten Thousand Accident Cases Annually.

John Dibaba

Authorities in Gulu city have raised red flag over the increasing cases of motor-accidents. Many have been attributed to reckless use of the road. But Road users say inappropriate road designs and narrow roads are to be blamed for the numerous accidents recorded yearly. Moses Ojok, a boda-boda rider, believes that having humps on the ways would help avoid the daily accident. John Bosco Oryem, a business man, observes that there is no respect for persons with disabilities by the other road users. He says, in Kampala, traffic police always stop road users until they cross the road contrary to Gulu city.

Emmy Ocen, the chairperson Gulu west boda-boda association, blames some of his fellow boda-boda riders, who get into the business without being trained, adding that many boda-boda riders who got involve in road crushes are those who get motorcycles on loan without getting enough training in road sighs.
Joseph Komakech, the executive director for responsive drivers Uganda, argues that many roads in Gulu city do not have road sighs. Komakech also blames city authorities for constructing the road without getting advice from other engineers and experts in roads designs. Dr Morris Ojara, orthopedic surgeon for Gulu regional referral hospital, says they record more than fifteen cases weekly of patients admitted with accident fractures.

Alfred Okwong, the mayor of Gulu city, admits that some roads need to be redesigned and narrow roads widened. According the mayor, authorities in Gulu city have contacted the office of Uganda national roads authority and they promise to redesign the roads to control road crushes. Police Records shows that for the last three year, Gulu reported yearly more than 10,000 accident cases.