TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS AND SAFETY CONCERNS ON THE RISE AS CAMPAIGNS IN ARUA CITY TAKE SHAPE

Campaign processions in Arua city
 
By Onzoma Albert
Arua City

Traffic congestion and chaos in Arua City have become common during political campaigns and nomination activities.

This is particularly evidenced when National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party candidates’ convoys pass through the city.

This has left residents and road users expressing frustration over long delays and unsafe conditions caused by poor traffic and the misuse roads without following traffic rules.

“The political season is always inconveniencing us the pedestrians on the road because you realize cyclists always ride carelessly on the pavements meant for pedestrians as they are celebrating their candidates and so doing they end up knocking us and causing accidents which always puts us in fear” a female road user said.

“You can see how they cyclists are riding on the road here causing a lot of confusions and havoc. I wish the politicians in Arua could change the way they are campaigning and taking advantage of the unemployed youths because it is causing a lot of reckless riding which is putting our lives as pedestrians at risk which cost our life” another road user added.

According to Swadick Amaku, the chairman of Arua City boda boda’s association, the situation has been further worsened by the endorsement of rallies and processions “Due to this ongoing NRM nominations, the whole of this week I have been observing congestions on the road. I blame the NRM leadership for not regulating the nomination activities and the candidates who don’t make use of our office when it comes to the use of boda boda riders yet they are supposed to make use of our office to request for the number of boda boda riders they want” Amaku said in an interview.

IP Alfred Matua, the community liaison officer for Arua city has called for stricter adherence to traffic regulations regulations during campaign periods to ensure safety and reduce congestions.

“The community members can support candidates of their choice, but in doing so by gather in places may be near hospitals, schools and on the roads they should always exercise discipline because they cause inconveniencies in these places with noise and the candidates are not guiding their supporters well during these campaigns” he said.

This has therefore led to a call by the Traffic management authorities and political figures for respect to traffic rules, avoiding disruptions and prioritizing safety of all road users during such events all meant to restore order and improve the flow of traffic in Arua city.