The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has sharply criticised the government over what it terms as systemic failure following a fatal road crash along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, warning that preventable deaths continue to rise due to policy gaps and weak enforcement.
In a statement dated July 8, ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde said the country was “once again paying with human lives” after a head-on collision at Bobi Trading Centre involving an Opti Travellers bus and a lorry.
The society extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a quick recovery to those injured.
Ssemakadde pointed to alarming road fatality statistics, citing police data indicating that 5,383 people died in road crashes in 2025 alone — an average of 15 deaths daily.
He noted that the figures have steadily increased over recent years, describing Uganda’s highways as “killing fields.”
“This is not bad luck. This is policy failure,” he stated, attributing the crisis to corruption in road budgets, deteriorating infrastructure, weak traffic law enforcement, and inadequate emergency response systems.
The ULS also criticised what it described as the government’s failure to prioritise long-term solutions, arguing that ad hoc presidential donations to victims do not address systemic issues.
It further noted that, unlike regional counterparts such as Kenya and South Africa, Uganda lacks a functional road accident compensation framework to support victims and their families.
In response to the tragedy, the society announced the rollout of legal aid services in affected regions, including Gulu and Masindi, to assist victims.
A national pro bono scheme targeting road crash victims is also set to be launched as part of broader access to justice initiatives.
Additionally, ULS opposed the involvement of military actors in civilian infrastructure management, warning that such moves undermine transparency and institutional accountability.
The society called on Parliament to urgently reallocate resources towards road safety, strengthen oversight on public funds, and enforce existing traffic laws.
Ssemakadde concluded that recurring road tragedies signal a deeper leadership crisis, urging a shift toward accountability and evidence-based policy to safeguard citizens’ right to safe transport.