UPDF, Police launch joint crackdown targeting errant gov’t, army drivers

The UPDF and police have announced a joint operation targeting errant VIPs and government drivers on the road.

Addressing journalists on Monday, traffic police spokesperson, Michael Kananura said the joint operation was necessitated by the growing impunity on the road.

““There is an increasing misuse of the road by VIPs who have escort vehicles driven by army  and police drivers who disregard traffic regulations. They move as if they are on emergency even when they are not,” Kananura said.

He said many of these pretend to be under emergency and under this pretext, they violate traffic rules and guidelines.

“ Emergency is defined as a serious , unexpected and dangerous situation requiring immediate action. Someone who is going or leaving office or going for a function or burial can never be regarded as an emergency,” Kananura said.

According to  police  fire brigade, ambulances, military motor vehicles of the armed forces, trailers or engineering plant as may be designated by the minister are the only ones to be under emergency.

“ A driver of a car  of the president, vice president, chief justice, speaker of parliament or the prime minister or police vehicle or other emergency vehicle is allowed to deviate from the regulations.”

Deputy UPDF spokesperson, Col Deo Akiiki underscored the role of the military on the road.

“ This was after complaints to the leadership of UPDF about indiscipline on the road. They will also deal with unauthorised persons using military stores like uniforms and jackets to intimidate traffic officials as well as check on compliance to military standard operating procedures by our own drivers and officers while on the road,” Col Akiiki said.

He said the operations will be impromptu, especially in Kampala Metropolitan Area.

The joint operation comes at a time when road users have for long complained of indiscipline by drivers of army vehicles and those for State House who disregard others.