Omondi Ndugu, a senior government official and road safety advocate, has called on the Ugandan government to increase penalties for reckless driving, particularly overspeeding.
His comments come in response to the growing number of road deaths across the country, many of which are attributed to drivers ignoring speed limits.
Speaking during a road safety awareness event, Ndugu posed a powerful question: “If you knocked me and killed me on the road, how much would it cost to bury me?”
He stressed that no monetary penalty can match the value of a human life, especially when families are left devastated by avoidable accidents.
Citing recent statistics, Omondi Ndugu revealed that 7 out of 14 road fatalities in Uganda are caused by overspeeding. He argued that the current fine of UGX 600,000 is not enough to deter reckless behavior on the roads.
“These are our brothers and sisters. You can’t compare the cost of a funeral, or the emotional toll, to a fine that many see as just another traffic fee,” he said.
Omondi Ndugu urged President Museveni’s government to review existing traffic laws and introduce harsher punishments for traffic offenders, especially repeat violators.
He also called for investment in road safety education, better enforcement of traffic rules, and use of speed-monitoring technology across major highways.
His comments have sparked public debate, with many Ugandans supporting the call for stricter penalties, while others believe better road infrastructure and enforcement should take priority.
Even as Uganda continues to grapple with rising road accidents, pressure is mounting on authorities to take more decisive action. Omondi Ndugu’s plea adds to a growing chorus of voices demanding that the government treat road safety as a national emergency.