The State House has distanced President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy from the horrible traffic gridlock at Mpigi along the Kampala – Masaka highway, refuting online allegations that the heavy Jam was caused by the Presidents campaign activities in Mpigi.
In the statement released on Tuesday afternoon, state house officials noted that while delays are regrettable, placing responsibility on the President’s convoy was inaccurate and misleading.
“For clarity, very limited and time-bound road closures during presidential movements are standard operating procedures world over and are carefully coordinated to minimize disruption. In this instance, several other factors significantly contributed to the congestion” the statement read.
According to statehouse, 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.
“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 reads.
The minister of Transport and works Gen Katumba Wamala has since also released a statement reasserting that the Monday traffic congestion wasn’t caused by any road closures to facilitate political activities by President Museveni.
“We therefore categorically dismiss these claims. The President has consistently demonstrated responsibility and strict adherence to established protocols, conducting all public engagements and rallies exclusively at designated venues” he said.
According to Wamala, the available traffic assessments confirm that the gridlock was primarily caused by traffic indiscipline, with motorists blocking intersections and encroaching into oncoming lanes especially at choke points in Mpigi, thereby obstructing right of way in both directions and creating a standstill.
“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” Katumba said.
Min Katumba further urged motorists to ensure orderly driving, respect for lane discipline, and compliance with traffic officers’ directions.
Hundreds of motorists traveling along the Masaka- Kampala Highway were on Monday evening left in shock after spending more than 12 hours stuck in heavy traffic congestion in Mpigi, along the highway.
According to several travellers who got stuck in the massive traffic jam, the gridlock started on Monday afternoon throughout the night into Tuesday morning as number of people attempted to return to the city centre from Christmas festivities.
