The police and the military have announced a joint operation targeting impunity by motorists while on the road.

Addressing journalists on Monday, Traffic Police spokesperson Faridah Nampiima said that following an increase in impunity by motorists on the road, Traffic Police, Field Force Unit, and Military Police have decided to ensure sanity returns by launching a joint operation.

“Starting today, we have started a joint operation by the traffic police, Field Force Unit and military police to check on impunity on roads in the country. The operation will focus on peak hours of the day in the morning and evening, “Nampiima said.

Of late, drivers tend to place military jackets and uniforms on the back of the car seats to intimidate other motorists and traffic police officers on the road.

According to Nampiima, these are among the people targeted by the operation.

“They tend to drive inconsiderately, which is why this is a joint operation. These people tend to do it during peak hours. Why should you put the jacket on the car? Do not put the jacket on the seat whether you are in the forces or not. It is not a car cover but is supposed to be worn by you. If we get you, we shall arrest you.”

“When arrested, you will be handed over to military police whether you have a police or military jacket placed on the back of the car seat.”

The Traffic Police spokesperson said the operation would also target vehicles with illegal sirens and flashlights.

She explained that on many occasions, the drivers of these vehicles, both government and privately owned vehicles use illegal flashlights and sirens to gain the right of way that they are not supposed to have, insisting that this is impunity.

“By law, they do not have the right of way. Whoever thinks that by installing the flashlight or siren, they will get the right of way; we shall get them. We will arrest the drivers and force them to remove the flashlights and sirens.”

“Police will remove all unauthorized flashlights in private, government-registered vehicles which are not allowed by law.”

“The car will be impounded, illegal flashlights and sirens removed, vehicle taken to the Inspectorate of Vehicles and driver asked to pay a fine.”

She explained that the operation would also focus on drivers who comply with the traffic rules and regulations while on the road.

“We shall use CCTV cameras to support the enforcement of this operation. Whoever is arrested will be handed over to the nearest police station.”

This is not the first time police are cracking down on motorists driving with impunity on the road.

For example, in 2016, the then Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, directed traffic police to arrest and prosecute drivers of vehicles with illegal sirens and roof lights but also impound the vehicles.

Gen Kayihura said then that motorists abuse the use of motor vehicle sirens, roof lights and right of way.

However, despite several operations launched to crack down on the same, the vice has gone on, and the impunity is done mostly by members of security forces and government officials.

It remains to be seen if the operation will bear fruit against the rising cases of impunity on Ugandan roads, most brought about by people close to the government.

In May 2022, armed military personnel grabbed a traffic police officer on Kaggwe Road after accusing him of taking too long without releasing their vehicle during a traffic jam. 

The officers were later charged in the military court and confirmed. They were given sentences such as imprisonment and community service.

In July, another military officer Herbert Kakama attached to Chief of Training and Recruitment, Mbuya, was arrested after he attempted to cock his gun during a scuffle with a traffic officer at Kibuye roundabout. 

It is alleged that the soldier parked a Toyota Harrier in the middle of Kibuye roundabout in Katwe Division, Kampala blocking other motorists, but when a traffic officer asked him to remove it, he allegedly refused. Kakama was charged in the military court.