President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to amend the Roads Act, 2019, expressing concerns over the rising cases of accidents in the country.

Museveni issued the directive on Wednesday as he paid tribute to Kampala city businessman, Apollo Nyegamehe aka Aponye, who perished in a motor crash on the Mbarara-Kabale highway in Ntungamo district last Thursday.

Aponye died on the spot after his vehicle hit a parked lorry on the route at about 9:30 pm. He was on his way to Rukiga district.

Vice-President Jessica Alupo represented the President at the burial. She said Museveni has directed Kiwanuka to present to Cabinet proposals on how to mitigate road carnage.

“Much as there is a law to mitigate road accidents (Roads Act, 2019), the country has continued to register increased accidents on the road. That Act might not be sufficient enough,” she told mourners.

Aponye died on the spot after his vehicle hit a parked lorry

“The President has directed that the Attorney General presents to Cabinet proposed guidelines to improve the implementation of the Act, especially Section 58 of the Roads Act, 2019.”

Alupo observed that in spite of provisions such as towing away of a stranded vehicle within two hours, visible signs to alert other road users and use of efficient and effective reflectors, the country still registers accidents.

According to the Police Annual Crime Report of 2022, Uganda registered 20,394 cases of road accidents that year compared to 17,443 registered in 2021. Out of every 100 crashes, 22 people died while 61% of all accidents were as a result of reckless driving.

Museveni mourns Aponye

In his speech read to the mourners by Alupo, Museveni described Aponye as a humble man who was a good listener, down to earth, committed Christian and peace maker.

The President expressed his deep condolences to deceased’s family and supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

“The late Apollo Nyegamehe was a big supporter of the NRM and an active actor in the economy. He will be remembered for his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, which enabled him to create wealth and jobs, for many people,” said Museveni.

The President, therefore, urged the young people to emulate Aponye's example of exploiting the prevailing favourable conditions of peace, stability and good infrastructure to create wealth and jobs.

In her remarks, the Vice-President paid tribute to the deceased for being a committed Christian, and a kind person who contributed to the church.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa preached the gospel of hard work such that societies are grown and nurtured.