By Aggrey Twesigye
As the festive season draws near, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) has reinstated the use of breathalyzers, commonly known as Kawunyemu, in a renewed effort to curb road carnage caused by drunk driving.
Under Ugandan law, driving under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to UGX 600,000 or a maximum prison sentence of three years.
Speaking to our reporter, SSP Paul Katwesige, the District Police Commander of Ibanda Central Police Station, said recent investigations reveal that a significant number of road crashes are linked to intoxicated motorists. This trend, he said, prompted the force to resume breathalyzer operations to identify and prosecute offenders.
Katwesige also warned traders and business operators along the Ibanda highway to stop improper parking especially of heavy trucks during loading and offloading stressing that such practices endanger other road users and contribute to avoidable accidents.
