Police Launches Fika Salaama Extra to Greater Kampala

The Directorate of Traffic Police and Road Safety has launched Fika Salaama Extra operations in partnership with Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Health, Uganda National Roads Authority, as a special intervention to reduce road crashes in Uganda.

These operations are therefore extending to cover the entire Kampala Metropolitan Area, other cities and some highways that have been identified.

"In these operations we have added a component of taking biometrics (Finger prints) so as to have a profile (Database) of drivers who will have been found to be driving motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol. This database will subsequently be integrated with that of INTERPOL," SP Michael Kananura the PRO Directorate Traffic and Road Safety revealed.

Fika Salama Extra Operations will also look at other offences which include careless overtaking, driving without valid driver’s license, driving out of class, Carrying excess passengers, dangerous loading,  driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous mechanical condition.

Fika Salama Extra is emphasizing and putting more effort on what has been ongoing i.e. enforcement, Road Safety education & engagement with other stake holders. Fika Salama Extra checkpoints along all major highways will be re-activated from August 2023  to January 2024.

Every person who drives a motor vehicle of any class or description on the road at speed greater than the prescribed maximum speed limit in respect of that road commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 2million shillings or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or both.  At the discretion of the overall commander, the offender can be issued with an express penalty of 200,000/= Ugx.

Drink driving is a risk factor and it has been identified as a major cause of death not only in Uganda but worldwide, alcohol impairs both the driver’s vision and decison making and this puts all road users at high risk of injury or death. The Traffic Directorate has identified high risk roads where most accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol occur i.e Ggaba Road, Jinja Road, Kiira Rd, Entebbe Road, Kampala -Entebbe Express Way, Northern by pass and some streets in Central Business District (CBD). We have therefore decided to intensify operations targeting  drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol.

Section 111 of T & RS Amendment Act 2020 provides for the offence of driving with blood alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit. The Traffic and Road Safety (Prohibited Drugs and Alcohol Limit)  Regulations 2023 provides for both prescribed blood alcohol levels and prescribed breath alcohol levels;

Regulation 3 provides that the prescribed blood alcohol level a driver of a vehicle other than a public service vehicle or ambulance is 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood while that of a driver of a public service vehicle or ambulance is 20 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millitres of blood.

Regulation 4 provides that the prescribed breath alcohol level for a driver of a vehicle other than a PSV or ambulance is 25 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millitres of blood while that of a driver of a PSV or ambulance is 10 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millitres of breath.

Section 111 (1) of the Traffic and Road Safety Amendment Act 2020 provides that a person who contravenes this law is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 6,000,000 Ugx or Imprisonment not exceeding three years or Both.

At the discretion of the overall commander, the offender can be issued with an express penalty scheme  of 200,000/= Ugx

"Last Friday, we arrested 38 drivers who were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol from the operations carried out along  Ggaba & Jinja Road," SP Kananura said.

In the month of August, Police have so far covered total number 20 TV Shows, 89 Radio Shows and 247 Physical Engagements on Road safety sensitizations across the country targeting all road users with emphasis on primary school going children aimed at creating road safety awareness.

"I appeal to all road users to abide by the traffic laws and regulation to ensure safety on our roads," Kananura concluded.