State House has denied claims that President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy caused the traffic gridlock on the Kampala-Masaka Road, calling the reports “inaccurate and misleading”.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, State House explained that limited and time-bound road closures during presidential movements are standard procedures and were carefully coordinated to minimise disruption.
“Very limited and time-bound road closures during presidential movements are standard operating procedures world over and are carefully coordinated to minimise disruption,” the statement reads.
The State House attributed the congestion to other factors, including heavy end-of-month traffic, poor road discipline, and a heavy downpour that reduced visibility.
“These included the heavy end-of-month traffic as many motorists were returning from upcountry holidays, poor road discipline by some drivers who failed to respect other road users and created multiple lanes, and a heavy downpour that reduced visibility and compelled some motorists to temporarily park and wait for the storm to subside,” the statement adds.
State House urged the public to consider the full context and exercise patience and responsible road use during periods of heavy traffic and adverse weather conditions.
“Significant overnight delays occurred at the same time last year, when there were no presidential campaigns in districts along the route. It is therefore incorrect to politicize and wrongly attribute this unfortunate event,” the statement concludes.
The Ministry of Works and Transport echoed State House, stating; “We categorically dismiss claims that the gridlock was caused by road closures for presidential activities. The President has consistently demonstrated responsibility and strict adherence to protocols, conducting public engagements exclusively at designated venues.”
According to the ministry, the gridlock was primarily caused by traffic indiscipline, with motorists blocking intersections and encroaching into oncoming lanes, especially at choke points in Mpigi.
“The Uganda Police Traffic Directorate has deployed aerial surveillance and ground officers to identify and clear gridlock points, restore lane discipline, and traffic flow is steadily improving,” the statement issued on Tuesday reads.
The ministry appealed to motorists to ensure orderly driving, respect lane discipline, and comply with traffic officers’ directions, especially during the festive season.
“We call upon motorists to ensure orderly driving, respect for lane discipline, and compliance with traffic officers’ directions,” the ministry urged.
Background
Traffic along one of Uganda’s busiest transport corridors, the Kampala-Masaka Highway, remained paralysed for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, forcing hundreds of motorists to spend the night in their vehicles as an unprecedented gridlock stretched for more than 30 kilometres.
The congestion, which began around 6:00 pm on Monday, left traffic virtually at a standstill between Buwama Township in Mpigi District and Kyengera Township in neighbouring Wakiso District.
By 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, long queues of stranded vehicles remained in both directions, while police conducted aerial patrols along the highway to pinpoint the ‘root cause of the crisis.’
Traffic police had earlier advised motorists travelling to Kampala to divert via the Kasanje-Nakawuka route, while those heading to Masaka were urged to use the Gomba-Sembabule Road.