The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala, has appealed to motorists to be more vigilant while driving during rainy days as one way of reducing accidents on roads.
He made the call while addressing Journalists on Tuesday afternoon at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
The Minister said one of the most recent accidents along Masaka road in Bujuuko on December 19 happened at around 7am during the early morning rain.
The accident which involved a Toyota Regius UAZ 198 C with seven occupants lost control and hit flooded waters before slipping over a road guard and knocked an electric pole. The occupants were severely injured.
This accident, Katumba says, would have been avoided if the driver was vigilant enough.
He says despite the fact that a number of roads in Kampala are in a sorry state with potholes, responsible usage of the roads remains key as his ministry and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) rehabilitate the roads.
A total number of 390 road crashes accidents were registered between December 11 and 19. Out of these, 71 were fatal, 202 were serious and 117 were minor.
In order to enforce the misuse of traffic rules, Katumba says, the Ministry of Works and Transport in conjuction with Uganda Police Traffic Unit have issues a number of guidelines during the festive season.
The guidelines makes it an offense to among others speed, drifting of lanes, drink driving. He says those who abuse them will be arrested and face the law.