Six drivers sent to prison over lack of permits

NEBBI.

Court in Nebbi District has remanded six drivers to Koch government prison for lack of valid permits.

The six were arrested on Monday during the launch of the nationwide Fiika Salaama campaigns in the West Nile region. They pleaded guilty before the Grade One magistrate, Mr Mike Okonye.

The West Nile regional traffic officer, Mr Washington Labeja, said the police would continue with the operation until cases of road accidents are contained, especially in West Nile sub-region.

“Traffic officers from all the eight districts in the region are going to keep on the roads to see that drivers and riders maintain discipline in order to curb cases of fatal accidents along major roads in the region,” Mr Labeja said.

ASP Labeja also clarified on the ongoing operation where drivers of overloaded vehicles and boda-boda cyclists carrying more than one passenger are charged on spot.

“The purpose is to stop accidents on the roads and track down drivers without driving permits, those with fake permits as well as drunk driving which is common on the road,” Mr Labeja said.

He said that although there are not so many accidents on the road, they still want to maintain discipline on the roads and ensure that motorists have the requirements.

Mr Labeja encouraged road users to ensure personal safety while on the road and always avoid boarding overloaded cars.

Meanwhile, four drivers were fined Shs200,000 each after they were found with expired permits and permits which do not belong to the class of vehicles they were driving. According to the Grade One magistrate, the suspects will reappear in court on October 14 for further mention of their case.