Resuming police drunk driving enforcement in Uganda

In order to reduce the number of accidents on Ugandan roads, particularly those brought on by intoxicated drivers, police are resuming their nationwide operations to catch drunk drivers.

A meeting with the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Police, and UNRA recommended the resumption of the drink-driving operations due to an increase in road accidents, many of which are caused by drunk drivers, according to Dr. Henry Mwebesa, Director General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health.

"Ugandans are the top alcohol consumers in Africa, and many people drive while intoxicated. You may recall that the MOH warned against using breathalyzers because to COVID-19 in 2020 for fear of spreading the disease. It is regrettable to note that since then, Uganda has seen an upsurge in traffic accidents, 40% of which result in fatalities. Children, pedestrians, and other drivers who are not intoxicated can all be harmed in accidents caused by drunk driving, according to Dr. Mwebesa.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Health has assessed the danger of contracting COVID-19 through breathalyzers and deems it to be minimal in light of the considerable drop in Covid cases.

A separate, sealed, and disposable tube will be used by each client to blow into the breathalyzer, according to Uganda Police, who also confirmed this. In light of this, the Ministry of Health urges the quick reintroduction of breathalyzers to check the blood alcohol content of drivers.

This is a preventative measure against fatalities brought on by drunk drivers colliding with other vehicles. However, the general population is urged to comply with the Uganda Police Force and refrain from driving after drinking.

Many accidents in the past have been brought on by drunk drivers.

For instance, in May, at the Acacia-Kayunga road intersection in Kampala, a Mercedes Benz driver who was driving too fast and was maybe under the influence of alcohol lost control of the car and struck stationary road barriers.

Later, three street kids who had sought refuge next to the barriers were struck by the car.

A white Toyota Mark X that was coming from Acacia crashed with the flying Mercedes Benz as it continued on its flight.

On the instruction of the Ministry of Health, police stopped conducting drunk driving enforcement when the Covid pandemic broke out out of fear of the virus spreading.