91 killed in road crash, crime incidents during Easter period

At least 91 people were killed in road crashes and crime incidents during this year’s Easter holiday period, police statistics indicate.

According to the police, 46 people were killed in crime incidents, while 45 perished in traffic crashes. The road crashes and crimes that claimed the lives of people happened between March 28 (Holy Thursday) and April 01 (Easter Monday).

Michael Kananura, traffic police spokesperson, said road crashes killed 22 motorcycle riders, 10 passengers, and five passengers on motorcycles.

“The road crashes left 120 people injured and they were recorded on various roads. However, Kampala metropolitan area, Albertine, and Wamala regions had the highest number of road crashes during the Easter period,” Kananura said.

Police statistics and civil society studies such as Safe Way Right Way (SWRW) have often shown that the biggest number of motorcycle riders and their passengers perish or sustain life-threatening injuries in road crashes because of not wearing crash helmets.

Fred Enanga, police spokesperson said 46 people died as a result of mob justice, aggravated robbery, and domestic violence. Enanga said police have so far arrested 52 suspects in connection to killings and other crimes recorded during the Easter holidays.

“In total, we recorded 62 incidents of reportable crimes which was an increase compared to 44 incidents registered during the 2023 Easter period. Out of the 62 reportable incidents, 46 people were killed. 10 murders were by mob action, nine were of aggravated robbery, four were domestic violence, and eight murders,” Enanga said.

Enanga said operations were carried out in areas of Gombe and Matugga under Nansana Municipality, where 20 suspects were arrested on Good Friday. Police said during Easter, security was beefed up in Moroto district after intelligence revealed that there were planned Turkana attacks.

Kananura said traffic police officers ‘operations against traffic violators will continue on the different roads. He said in Easter week, 786 people were arrested for driving with invalid licenses.’

“Eighty-nine people had no driving licenses. 435 people had expired driving licenses, 257 people had out-of-class licenses and five drivers had forged driving licenses. All the eight defaulters were charged in court,” Kananura said.