Who has right to sound the siren?

Lead vehicles of convoys like the President’s and other VIP use sirens to warn other road users of their approach so they make way. photo by Rachel Mabala

On a lazy Saturday afternoon, Jane Muzanganda was enjoying her cruise on Ggaba Road when suddenly, she heard the sound of sirens. She pulled over and parked her car.

In a split second, a boda boda (motorcycle) rider passed her, and grinned her way. She frowned because she thought it was a presidential convoy, ambulance or someone important with the right of way.
Muzanganda is one of many people who fall ‘victim’ to people who install sirens on their vehicles or motorcycles albeit illegally.

Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson Patrick Onyango says that the law is very clear on who should have the right of way.

Not mandatory
Norman Musinga, the KMP traffic commander, says emergency sirens are supposed to only be used by police, especially patrol vehicles, lead vehicles for Very Important Persons (VIPs), the presidential convoy and emergency vehicles and motorcycles such as ambulances and rescue vehicles like fire brigade trucks.

Among the people that Musinga lists as entitled to have cars with sirens, are the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, VIPs and some army officials. However, he adds that it is not mandatory or important to always sound the siren(s).

“It is not compulsory to have the sirens. It depends on the situation. If you do not have any emergency, then you do not have to use the sirens,” explains Musinga.

“If we (police) get you sounding sirens and hooting yet you have no emergency, we will arrest and charge you accordingly. You are taking people for granted.”

He adds that use of sirens should be for a good reason so that one does not simply bother other road users. He observes that private security companies misuse sirens and many of them have been penalised for the misuse.

“Not anyone with a pick-up should install sirens. Discipline should prevail,” he warns people with private cars who install sirens yet they are not entitled by law to do so.

Take care
One of the places where motorists acquire sirens is downtown Kampala, in garages or from Kisekka Market, which is popular for car repairs, enhancements or pimping of vehicles.

In a press conference on July 6, last year, the police director of traffic and road safety, Dr Stephen Kasiima issued a warning to motorists who violate the right of way and others who use sirens and roof-lights without authorisation.

The Road Safety Act, section 123, sub-section 3, states that even if one has the right of way, they should take due care for other road users because they can be prosecuted for causing an accident, even if you had the right of way.

If one juxtaposed Uganda’s situation with that of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya, where there is no motor traffic or sirens, he would see a big difference. In Lamu, it is donkeys with the right of way.
Well, it is two different worlds, with different outlooks and settings. The next time someone sounds the siren look in your car or motorcycle mirror to be sure it is the person who is allowed by law to have and sound them.

To note
It is not compulsory to have the sirens. It depends on the situation. If you do not have any emergency, then you do not have to use the sirens
What the law says...

123. Emergency motor vehicles.
(1) Notwithstanding this Act and subject to this section, the driver of an authorised emergency motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant may, where the observance of this Act would be likely to hinder the use of an authorised emergency motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant for the purpose for which it is being used—
(a) park or stand in any place on a road, whether or not that place is a parking place;
(b) after slowing down, as may be necessary for safe operation,
proceed past a red or stop sign;
(c) exceed the prescribed speed limit, so long as he or she does not endanger life or property; or
(d) disregard any regulation governing direction of movement or turning in a specified direction.
(2) The exemption granted by this section to an authorised emergency motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant shall apply only when the driver of the motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant, while in motion, sounds an audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle, as may be reasonably necessary, or, if the motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant is equipped with the flashing beacon of a type prescribed by the Minister, is exhibiting a light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of one hundred and fifty metres to the front of the motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant.
(3) This section does not relieve the driver of an authorised emergency motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant from the duty to drive with due regard and care for the safety of persons or property, nor protect the driver from consequences of his or her disregard for the safety of such persons or property.
(4) Upon the immediate approach of an authorised emergency motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant, the driver of every other motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant shall, except when otherwise directed by a police officer in uniform, give the right of way, and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the left-hand edge of the curb of the roadway, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorised emergency motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant has passed.
(5) For the purposes of this section, “authorised emergency motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant for the purposes of the police, fire brigade, ambulances, the military motor vehicles of the armed forces and such other motor vehicles, trailers or engineering plant as may be designated by the Minister in consultation with the chief licensing officer by statutory order.
(6) A person who fails to comply with this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than fifteen currency points and not exceeding sixty currency points or imprisonment of not less than six months and not exceeding two years or both. THE TRAFFIC AND ROAD SAFETY ACT, 1998