Story by Ivan Mugisha
Residents of Kayenje Ward in Bufunda Division, Ibanda Municipality, are urging the Ministry of Works and Transport to install speed humps in Nyabuhikye Trading Center along the Ibanda-Mbarara highway, following a tragic incident last week in which a six-year-old boy was fatally struck by a speeding vehicle while returning from school.
In an interview with Crooze FM, local residents highlighted that the stretch from Nyabuhikye Church of Uganda to Nyabuhikye Market has become a notorious black spot due to the lack of speed-calming measures, posing a significant danger to both pedestrians and motorists.
Bufunda Division Chairperson Benon Kaimutsya revealed that over 20 people have lost their lives on this stretch of road in the past three years. He noted that despite several attempts to raise the issue with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) before its merger with the Ministry of Works and Transport, their pleas for action have gone unanswered.
Ibanda District Speaker Godwin Muhumuza Oulanya emphasized the need for a collective effort to secure government intervention, stressing the importance of presenting a formal petition and a detailed profile of the victims to the Minister of Works and Transport.
In response, Doreen Kukunda, a civil engineer from the Ministry of Works and Transport, acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents but refrained from making an immediate commitment regarding the installation of speed humps or other measures.
